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SECRET  HISTORY; 
THE  HORRORS  OF  ST.  DOMINGO, 

IN 

A  SERIES  OF  LETTERS, 

WRITTEN  BY  A  LADY  AT  CAPE  FRANCOIS 

TO 

COLONEL  BURR, 

LATE  VICE-PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

PRINCIPALLY  DURING  THE  COMMAND  OF 
GENERAL  ROCHAMBEAU. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PUBLISHED  BY  BRADFORD  INSKEEF 

R.  CARR,  PRINTER. 


1808, 


PREFACE. 


I  AM  fearful  of  having  been  led  into  an 
error  by  my  friends,  when  taught  by  them  to 
believe  that  I  could  write  something  which 
would  interest  and  please  ;  and  it  was  chiefly 
with  a  view  to  ascertain  what  confidence  I 
might  place  in  their  kind  assurances  on  this 
subject,  that  I  collected  and  consented,  though 
reluctantly,  to  the  publication  of  these  letters. 

Should  a  less  partial  public  give  them  a 
favourable  reception,  and  allow  them  to  pos= 
sess  some  merit,  it  would  encourage  me  to  en- 
deavour to  obtain  their  further  approbation  by 
a  little  work  already  planned  and  in  some  for= 
wardness. 

THE  AUTHOR, 

Philadelphia^  J^ov.oOth^  \Q07^ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/secrethistoryorh1808hass 


LETTER  I. 


Cape  Francois. 

WE  arrived  safely  here,  my  dear  friend, 
after  a  passage  of  forty  days,  during  which  I 
suffered  horribly  from  sea- sickness,  heat  and 
confinement;  but  the  society  of  my  fellow- 
passengers  was  so  agreeable  that  I  often  for- 
got the  inconvenience  to  which  I  was  exposed. 
It  consisted  of  five  or  six  French  families  who, 
having  left  St.  Domingo  at  the  beginning  of 
the  revolution,  were  now  returning  full  of  joy 
at  the  idea  of  again  possessing  the  estates  from 
which  they  had  been  driven  by  their  revolted 
slaves.  Buoyed  by  their  newly  awakened 
hopes  they  were  all  delightful  anticipation. 
There  is  an  elasticity  in  the  French  charac- 
ter which  repels  misfortune.  They  have  an 
inexhaustible  flow  of  spirits  that  bears  them 
lightly  through  the  ills  of  life. 


2  HORRORS  or 

Towards  the  end  of  the  voyage,  when  I 
was  well  enough  to  go  on  deck,  I  was  delight^ 
ed  with  the  profound  tranquillity  of  the  ocean, 
the  uninterrupted  view,  the  beautiful  horizon, 
and  wished,  since  fate  has  separated  me  from 
those  I  love,  that  I  could  build  a  dwelling  on 
the  bosom  of  the  waters,  where,  sheltered  from 
the  storms  that  agitate  mankind,  I  should  be 
exposed  to  those  of  heaven  only.  But  a  truce 
to  melancholy  reflections,  for  here  I  am  in  St. 
Domingo,  with  a  new  world  opening  to  my 
view. 

My  sister,  whose  fortunes,  you  know,  I 
was  obliged  to  follow,  repents  every  day  hav- 
.  ing  so  precipitately  chosen  a  husband  :  it  is 
impossible  for  two  creatures  to  be  more  dif- 
ferent, and  I  foresee  that  she  will  be  wretched. 

On  landing,  we  found  the  town  a  heap  of 
ruins.  A  more  terrible  picture  of  desolation 
cannot  be  imagined.  Passing  through  streets 
choaked  with  rubbish,  we  reached  with  diffi- 
culty a  house  which  had  escaped  the  general 
fate.  The  people  live  in  tents,  or  make  a  kind 
of  shelter,  by  laying  a  few  boards  across  the 
half-consumed  beams;  for  the  buildings  being 


ST.    DOMINGO.  3 

here  of  hewn  stone,  with  walls  three  feet  thick, 
only  the  roofs  and  floors  have  been  destroyed. 
But  to  hear  of  the  distress  which  these  unfor- 
tunate  people  have  sufiered,  w^oiild  fill  with 
horror  the  stoutest  heart,  and  make  the  most 
obdurate  melt  w^itli  pity. 

When  the  French  fleet  appeared  before 
the  mouth  of  the  harbour,  Christophe,  the 
Black  general,  who  commanded  at  the  Cape., 
rode  through  the  town,  ordering  all  the  women 
to  leave  their  houses — the  men  had  been  taken 
to  the  plain  the  day  before,  for  he  was  going 
to  set  fire  to  the  place,  which  he  did  with  his 
own  hand. 

The  ladies,  bearing  their  children  in  their 
arms,  or  supporting  the  trembling  steps  of 
their  aged  mothers,  ascended  in  crowds  the 
mountain  which  rises  behind  the  tovvTi.  Climb- 
ing over  rocks  covered  with  bramblas,  where 
no  path  had  been  ever  beat,  their  feet  were  torn 
to  pieces  and  their  steps  marked  with  blood. 
Here  they  suffered  all  the  pains  of  hunger  and 
thirst;  the  most  terrible  apprehensions  for  their 
fathers,  husbands,  brothers  and  sons;  to  wiiich 
was  added  the  sight  of  the  town  in  flames  s  and 


4 


HORRORS  OF 


even  these  horrors  were  increased  by  the  ex- 
plosion of  the  powder  magazine.  Large  mas- 
ses of  rock  were  detached  by  the  shock,  which, 
rolling  down  the  sides  of  the  mountain,  many 
of  these  hapless  fugitives  were  killed.  Others 
still  more  unfortunate,  had  their  limbs  broken 
or  sadly  bruised,  whilst  their  wretched  com- 
panions could  offer  them  nothing  but  unavail- 
ing sympathy  and  impotent  regret. 

On  the  third  day  the  negroes  evacuated 
the  place,  and  the  fleet  entered  the  harbour. 
Two  gentlemen,  who  had  been  concealed  by 
a  faithful  slave,  went  in  a  canoe  to  meet  the 
admiral's  vessel,  and  arrived  in  time  to  pre- 
vent a  dreadful  catastrophe.  The  general, 
seeing  numbers  of  people  descending  the 
mountain,  thought  they  were  the  negroes  com- 
ing to  oppose  his  landing  and  was  preparing 
to  lire  on  them,  vv^hen  these  gentlemen  inform- 
ed him  that  they  were  the  white  inhabitants^ 
and  thus  prevented  a  mistake  too  shocking  to 
be  thought  of. 

The  men  now  entered  from  the  plain  and 
sought  among  the  smoaking  ruins  the  objects 
of  their  affectionate  solicitude.  To  paint  these 


ST.  BOMlMGrO. 


heart-rending  scenes  of  tenderness  and  woe, 
description  has  no  powers.  The  imagination 
itself  shrinks  from  the  task. 

Three  months  after  this  period  we  arrived 
and  have  now  been  a  month  here,  the  town  is 
rapidly  rebuilding,  but  it  is  extremely  difficult 
to  find  a  lodging.  The  heat  is  intolerable  and 
the  season  so  unhealthy  that  the  people  die  in 
incredible  numbers.  On  the  night  of  our  ar- 
rival, Toussaint  the  general  in  chief  of  the  ne- 
groes, was  seized  at  the  Gonaives  and  em- 
barked for  France.  This  event  caused  great 
rejoicing,  A  short  time  before  he  was  taken, 
he  had  his  treasure  buried  in  the  woods,  and 
at  the  return  of  the  negroes  he  employed  on 
this  expedition,  they  were  shot  without  being 
suffered  to  utter  a  V/ord. 

Clara  has  had  the  yellow  fever.  Her  hus» 
band,  who  certainly  loves  her  very  much, 
watched  her  with  unceasing  care,  and  I  be- 
lieve, preserved  her  life,  to  vv^hich  however  she 
attaches  no  value  since  it  must  be  passed  with 
him. 

Nothing  amuses  her.  She  sighs  continuaL 
ly  for  the  friend  of  her  youth  and  seems  to 

b  2 


6  HORRORS  OF 

exist  only  in  the  recollection  of  past  happiness. 
Her  aversion  to  her  husband  is  unqualified  and 
unconquerable.  He  is  vain,  illiterate,  talkative. 
A  silent  fool  may  be  borne,  but  from  a  loqua- 
cious one  there  is  no  relief.  How  painful 
must  her  intercourse  with  him  be ;  and  how 
infinitely  must  that  pain  be  augmented  by  the 
idea  of  being  his  forever?  Her  elegant  mind, 
stored  with  literary  acquirements,  is  lost  to 
him.  Her  proud  soul  is  afflicted  at  depending 
on  one  she  abhors,  and  at  beholding  her  form^ 
and  you  know  that  form  so  vilely  bartered. 
Whilst  on  the  continent  she  was  less  sensible 
of  the  horrors  of  her  fate.  The  society  of  her 
friend  gave  a  charm  to  her  life,  and  having 
married  in  compliance  with  his  advice,  she 
thought  that  she  would  eventually  be  happy. 
But  their  separation  has  rent  the  veil  Avhich 
concealed  her  heart;  she  finds  no  sympathy  in 
the  bosom  of  her  husband.  She  is  alone  and 
she  is  wretched. 

General  Le  Clerc  is  small,  his  face  is  in- 
teresting, but  he  has  an  appearance  of  ill 
health.  His  wife,  the  sister  of  Buonaparte^ 
lives  in  a  house  on  the  mountain  till  tliere  cari 


ST.  DOMINGO. 

be  one  in  town  prepared  for  her  reception. 
She  is  offended,  and  I  thiflk  justly,  with  the 
ladies  of  the  Cape,  who,  from  a  mistaken  pride^ 
did  not  wait  on  her  when  she  arrived,  because 
having  lost  their  cloaths  they  could  not  dazzle 
her  with  their  finery. 

Having  heard  that  there  were  some  Ame» 
rican  ladies  here  she  expressed  a  desire  to  see 
them;  Mr.  V—  proposed  to  present  us;  Clara^ 
who  would  not  walk  a  mile  to  see  a  queen^ 
declined.  But  I,  who  walk  at  all  times,  mere- 
ly for  the  pleasure  it  affords  me,  went;  andy 
considering  the  labour  it  costs  to  ascend  the 
mountain,  I  have  a  claim  on  the  gratitude  of 
Madame  for  having  undertaken  it  to  shew  her 
an  object  which  she  probably  expected  to  find 
in  a  savage  state. 

She  was  in  a  room  darkened  by  Venetian 
blinds,  lying  on  her  sofa,  from  which  she  half 
rose  to  receive  me.  When  I  was  seated  she  re== 
clined  again  on  the  sofa  and  amused  general 
Boyer,  who  sat  at  her  feet,  by  letting  her  slip« . 
per  fall  continually,  which  he  respectfully  put 
on  as  often  as  it  felL  She  is  small,  fair,  with 
blue  eyes  aud  Haxen  hair.  Her  face  is  expres. 


HORRORS  OF 


sive  of  sweetness  but  without  spirit.  She  has 
a  voluptuous  mouth,  and  is  rendered  interest- 
ing by  an  air  of  languor  which  spreads  itself 
over  her  whole  frame.  She  was  dressed  in  a 
muslin  morning  gown,  with  a  Madras  hand- 
kerchief on  her  head.  I  gave  her  one  of  the 
beautiful  silver  medals  of  Washington,  en- 
graved by  Reich,  with  which  she  seemed 
much  pleased.  The  conversation  languished, 
and  I  soon  withdrew. 

General  Le  Cierc  had  gone  in  the  morning 
to  fort  Dauphin. 

I  am  always  in  good  spirits,  for  every  thing 
here  charms  me  by  its  novelty.  There  are  a 
thousand  pretty  things  to  be  had,  new  fashions 
and  elegant  trinkets  from  Paris ;  but  we  have 
no  balls,  no  plays,  and  of  what  use  is  finery  if 
it  cannot  be  shewn? 

The  natives  of  this  country  murmur  alrea- 
dy against  the  general  in  chief ;  they  say  he 
places  too  much  confidence  in  the  negroes. 
When  Toussaint  was  seized  he  had  all  the 
black  chiefs  in  his  power,  and,  by  embarking 
them  for  France,  he  would  have  spread  terror 
throughout  the  Island^  and  the  negroes  would 


ST.  DOMIXGO. 


9 


have  been  easily  reduced,  instead  of  which  he 
relies  on  their  good  faith,  has  them  continual- 
ly in  his  house,  at  his  table,  and  Vvastes  the 
time  in  conference  \vhicli  should  be  different- 
ly employed.  The  Creoles  shake  their  heads 
and  predict  much  ill.  Accustomed  to  the  cli- 
mate, and  acquainted  with  the  manner  of  fight- 
ing the  Negroes,  they  offer  advice,  which  is  not 
listened  to ;  nor  are  any  of  them  employed, 
but  all  places  of  honour  or  emolument  are 
held  by  Europeans,  who  appear  to  regard  the 
Island  as  a  place  to  be  conquered  and  divided 
among  the  victors,  and  are  consequently  view- 
ed by  the  natives  with  a  jealous  eye.  Indeed 
the  professed  intention  of  those  who  have  come 
with  the  army,  is  to  make  a  fortune,  and  return 
to  France  with  all  possible  speed,  to  enjoy  it. 
It  cannot  be  imagined  that  they  will  be  very 
delicate  about  the  means  of  accomplishing 
their  purpose. 

The  Cape  is  surrounded;  at  least  the  plain 
is  held  by  the  Negroes;  but  the  tow^n  is  tran- 
quil, and  Dessalines  and  the  other  black  chiefs 
are  on  the  best  terms  with  general  Le  Clerc. 

We  are  to  have  a  grand  review  next  weekr 


10 


Horrors  of 


The  militia  is  to  be  organized,  and  the  gene- 
ral is  to  address  the  troops  on  the  field.  He 
has  the  reputation  of  being  very  eloquent,  but 
he  has  shocked  every  body  by  having  ordered 
a  superb  service  of  plate,  made  of  the  money 
intended  to  pay  the  army,  while  the  poor  sol- 
diers, badly  cloathed,  and  still  more  badly  fed, 
are  asking  alms  in  the  street,  and  absolutely 
dying  of  want. 

A  beggar  had.  never  been  known  in  this 
country,  and  to  see  them  in  such  numbers, 
fills  the  inhabitants  with  horror;  but  why 
should  such  trilling  considerations  as  the  pre- 
servation  of  soldiers,  prevent  a  general  in  chief 
from  eating  out  of  silver  ^shes? 

W e  have  neither  public  nor  private  balls, 
nor  any  amusement  except  now  and  then  a 
little  scandal.  The  most  current  at  this  mo- 
ment is,  that  Madame  Le  Clerc  is  very  kind 
to  general  Boyer,  and  that  her  husband  is  not 
content,  which  in  a  French  husband  is  a  little 
extraordinary.  Perhaps  the  last  part  of  the 
anecdote  is  calumny. 

Madame  Le  Clerc,  as  I  learned  from  a 
gentleman  who  has  long  known  her,  betrayed 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


from  her  earliest  youth  a  disposition  to  gallant- 
ry, and  had,  when  very  young,  some  adven- 
tures of  eclat  in  Marseilles.  Her  brother, 
whose  favourite  she  is,  married  her  to  general 
Le  Clerc,  to  whom  he  gave  the  command  of 
the  army  intended  to  sail  for  St.  Domingo, 
after  having  given  that  island,  as  a  marriage 
portion,  to  his  sister.  But  her  reluctance  to 
come  to  this  country  was  so  great,  that  it  was 
almost  necessary  to  use  force  to  oblige  her  to 
embark. 

She  has  one  child,  a  lovely  boy,  three  years 
old,  of  which  she  appears  very  fond.  But  for 
a  young  and  beautiful  woman,  accustomed  to 
the  sweets  of  adulation,  and  the  intoxicating 
delights  of  Paris,  certainly  the  transition  to  this 
country,  in  its  present  state,  has  been  too  vio- 
lent. She  has  no  society,  no  amusement,  and 
never  having  imagined  that  she  would  be 
forced  to  seek  an  equivalent  for  either  in  the 
resources  of  her  own  mind,  she  has  made  no 
provision  for  such  an  unforeseen  emergency. 

She  hates  readmg,  and  though  passionate- 
ly fond  of  music  plays  on  no  instrument ;  ne- 
yer  having  stolen  time  from  her  pleasurable 


12 


HORRORS  OF 


pursuits  to  devote  to  the  acquisition  of  that 
divine  art.  She  can  do  nothing  but  dance, 
and  to  dance  alone  is  a  triste  resource;  there- 
fore it  cannot  be  surprising  if  her  early  pro- 
pensities predominate,  and  she  listens  to  the 
tale  of  love  breathed  by  General  Boyer,  for 
never  did  a  more  fascinating  votary  offer  his 
vows  at  the  Idalian  shrine.  His  form  and  face 
are  models  of  masculine  perfection ;  his  eyes 
sparkle  w^ith  enthusiasm,  and  his  voice  is  mo- 
dulated by  a  sweetness  of  expression  which 
cannot  be  heard  without  emotion.  Thus  si- 
tuated, and  thus  surrounded,  her  youth  and 
beauty  plead  for  her,  and  those  most  disposed 
to  condemn  would  exclaim  on  beholding  her: 

If  to  her  share  some  female  errors  fall, 
Look  in  her  face,  and  you'll  forget  them  all." 

I  suppose  you'll  laugh  at  this  gossip,  but 
'tis  the  news  of  the  day,  nothing  is  talked  of 
but  Madame  Le  Clerc,  and  envy  and  ill-na- 
ture pursue  her  because  she  is  charming  and 
surrounded  by  splendor. 

I  have  just  now  been  reading  Madame  De 
Staei  on  the  passions,  which  she  describes 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


13 


very  well,  but  I  believe  not  precisely  as  she 
felt  their  influence.  I  have  heard  an  anecdote 
of  her  which  I  admire  ;  a  friend,  to  whom  she 
had  communicated  her  intention  of  publishing 
her  memoirs,  asked  what  she  intended  doing 
with  the  gallant  part, — Oh,  she  replied,  je  ne 
me  peindrai  qu'en  buste. 


15 


LETTER  II. 


Cape  Francois* 

What  a  change  has  taken  place  here  since 
my  last  letter  was  written  !  I  mentioned  that 
there  was  to  be  a  grand  review,  and  I  also 
mentioned  that  the  confidence  General  Le 
Clerc  placed  in  the  negroes  was  highly  blam- 
ed, and  justly,  as  he  has  found  to  his  cost. 

On  the  day  of  the  review,  when  the  troops 
of  the  line  and  the  guarde  nationale  were  as- 
sembled on  the  field,  a  plot  was  discovered, 
which  had  been  formed  by  the  negroes  in  the 
town,  to  seize  the  arsenal  and  to  point  the  can- 
non of  a  fort,  which  overlooked  the  place  of 
review,  on  the  troops ;  whilst  Clairvaux,  the 
mulatto  general,  who  commanded  the  advanc- 
ed posts,  was  to  join  the  negroes  of  the  plain, 
overpower  the  guards,  and  entering  the  town, 
complete  the  destruction  of  thfe  white  inhabit 


16 


HORRORS  OF 


tants.  The  first  part  of  the  plot  was  discov- 
ered and  defeated.  But  Clairvaux  made  good 
his  escape,  and  in  the  evening  attacked  the 
post  General  Le  Clerc  had  so  imprudently 
confided  to  him.  The  consternation  was 
terrible.  The  guarde  nationale,  composed 
chiefly  of  Creoles,  did  wonders.  The  Ame- 
rican captains  and  sailors  volunteered  their 
services ;  they  fought  bravely,  and  many  of 
them  perished.  The  negroes  were  repulsed; 
but  if  they  gained  no  ground  they  lost  none, 
and  they  occupy  at  present  the  same  posts  as 
before.  The  pusillanimous  General  Le  Clerc, 
shrinking  from  danger  of  which  his  own  im- 
prudence had  been  the  cause,  thought  only  of 
saving  himself.  He  sent  his  plate  and  valu- 
able effects  on  board  the  admiral's  vessel,  and 
was  preparing  to  embark  secretly  with  his 
suite,  but  the  brave  admiral  La  Touehe  de 
Treville  sent  him  word  that  he  would  fire  with 
more  pleasure  on  those  who  abandoned  the 
town,  than  on  those  v/ho  attacked  it. 

The  ensuing  morning  presented  a  dread- 
ful spectacle.  Nothing  was  heard  but  the 
groans  of  the  wounded.,  who  were  carried 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


17 


through  the  streets  to  their  homes,  and  the  cries 
of  the  women  for  their  friends  who  were  slain. 

The  general,  shut  up  in  his  house,  would 
see  nobody ;  ashamed  of  the  weakness  which 
had  led  to  this  disastrous  event,  and  of  the 
want  of  courage  he  had  betrayed :  a  fever 
seized  him  and  he  died  in  three  days. 

Madame  Le  Clerc,  who  had  not  loved  him 
whilst  living,  mourned  his  death  like  the 
Ephesian  matron,  cut  olF  her  hair,  which  was 
very  beautiful,  to  put  it  in  his  coffin ;  refused 
all  sustenance  and  all  public  consolation. 

General  Rochambeau,  who  is  at  Port  au 
Prince,  has  been  sent  for  by  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Cape  to  take  the  command.  Much  good 
is  expected  from  the  change,  he  is  said  to  be 
a  brave  officer  and  an  excellent  man. 

Monsieur  D'Or  is  in  the  interim  Captain 
General,  and  unites  in  himself  the  three  prin- 
cipal places  in  the  government :  Prefect  Go» 
lonial,  Ordonnateur,  and  General  in  Chief. 

All  this  bustle  would  be  delightful  if  it 
was  not  attended  with  such  melancholy  con- 
sequences. It  keeps  us  from,  petrifying,  of 
which  I  was  in  danger. 

c  2 


18 


HORRORS  OF 


I  have  become  acquainted  with  some  Cre- 
ole ladies  who,  having  staid  in  the  Island  dur= 
ing  the  revolution,  relate  their  sufferings  in  a 
manner  which  harrows  up  the  soul;  and  dwell 
on  the  recollection  of  their  long  lost  happiness 
with  melancholy  delight.  St.  Domingo  was 
formerly  a  garden.  Every  inhabitant  lived  ofi 
his  estate  like  a  Sovereign  ruling  his  slaves 
with  despotic  sway,  enjoying  all  that  luxury 
could  invent,  or  fortune  procure. 

The  pleasures  of  the  table  were  carried  to 
the  last  degree  of  refinement.  Gaming  knew 
no  bounds,  and  libertinism,  called  love,  was 
without  restraint.  The  Creole  is  generous 
hospitable,  magnificent,  but  vain,  inconstant, 
and  incapable  of  serious  application  ;  and  in 
this  abode  of  pleasure  and  luxurious  ease  vices 
have  reigned  at  which  humanity  must  shudder. 
The  jealousy  of  the  women  was  often  terrible 
in  its  consequences.  One  lady,  who  had  a 
beautiful  negro  girl  continually  about  her  per- 
son, thought  she  saw  some  symptoms  of  te?i- 
dresse  in  the  eyes  of  her  husband,  and  all  the 
furies  of  jealousy  seized  her  soul. 

She  ordered  one  of  her  slaves  to  cut  off  the 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


19 


head  of  the  unfortunate  victim,  which  was  in- 
stantly done.  At  dinner  her  husband  said  he 
fek  no  disposition  to  eat,  to  which  his  w^ife, 
with  the  air  of  a  demon,  repUed,  perhaps  I  can 
give  you  something  that  Avill  excite  your  ap^ 
petite  ;  it  has  at  least  had  that  effect  before. 
She  rose  and  drew  from  a  closet  the  head  of 
Coomba.  The  husband,  shocked  beyond  ex- 
pression, left  the  house  and  sailed  immediately 
for  France,  in  order  never  again  to  behold  such 
a  monster. 

Many  similar  anecdotes  have  been  related 
by  my  Creole  friends  ;  but  one  of  them,  after 
having  excited  my  warmest  sympathy,  made 
me  laugh  heartily  in  the  midst  of  my  tears. 
She  told  me  that  her  husband  was  stabbed  in 
her  arms  by  a  slave  whom  he  had  always  treat- 
ed as  his  brother  ;  that  she  had  seen  her  chil- 
dren killed,  and  her  house  burned,  but  had 
been  herself  preserved  by  a  faithful  slave,  and 
conducted,  after  incredible  sufferings,  and 
through  innumerable  dangers  to  the  Cape. 
The  same  slave,  she  added,  and  the  idea  seem- 
ed to  console  her  for  every  other  loss,  saved 
all  my  madrass  handkerchiefs. 


2(D 


HbtRORS  OF 


The  Creole  ladies  have  an  air  of  voluptu- 
ous languor  which  renders  them  extremely 
interesting.  Their  eyeSj  their  teeth,  and  their 
hair  are  remarkably  beautiful,  and  they  have 
acquired  from  the  habit  of  commanding  their 
slaves,  an  air  of  dignity  which  adds  to  their 
charms.  Almost  too  indolent  to  pronounce 
their  words  they  speak  with  a  drawling  accent 
that  is  very  agreeable  :  but  since  they  have 
been  roused  by  the  pressure  of  misfortune 
many  of  them  have  displayed  talents  and  found 
resources  in  the  energy  of  their  own  minds 
which  it  would  have  been  supposed  impossible 
for  them  to  possess. 

They  have  naturally  a  taste  for  music; 
dance  with  a  lightness,  a  grace,  an  eleg^ce 
peculiar  to  themselves,  and  those  who,  ha- 
ving been  educated  in  France,  unite  the  French 
vivacity  to  the  Creole  sweetness,  are  the  most 
irresistible  creatures  that  the  imagination  can 
conceive.  In  the  ordinary  intercourse  of  life 
they  are  delightful;  but  if  I  wanted  a  friend  on 
any  extraordinary  occasion  I  would  not  ven- 
ture to  rely  on  their  stability. 


ST.  DOMINGOo 


21 


LETTER  III 


Cape  Francois. 

The  so  much  desired  general  Rochambeau 
is  at  length  here.  His  amval  was  announced, 
not  by  the  ringing  of  bells,  for  they  have  none, 
but  by  the  firing  of  cannon.  Every  body,  ex- 
cept myself  went  to  see  him  land,  and  I  was 
prevented,  not  by  want  of  curiosity,  but  by  in- 
disposition.  Nothing  is  heard  of  but  the  pub- 
lic joy.  He  is  considered  as  the  guardian,  as 
the  saviour  of  the  people.  Every  proprietor 
feels  himself  already  on  his  habitation  and  I 
have  even  heard  some  of  them  disputing  about 
the  quality  of  the  coffee  they  expect  soon  to 
gather ;  perhaps  these  sanguine  Creoles  may 
find  that  they  have  reckoned  without  their  host. 

However,  eii  attendant^  the  General,  who 
it  seems  bears  pleasure  as  well  as  conquest  in 


22 


HORRORS  OF 


his  train,  gives  a  grand  ball  on  Thursday  next. 
We  are  invited,  and  we  go. 

Clara  is  delighted !  for  the  first  time  since 
our  arrival  her  eyes  brightened  at  receiving  the 
invitation,  and  the  important  subject  of  w^hat 
colours  are  to  be  worn,  what  fashions  adopted, 
is  continually  discussed.  Her  husband,  whose 
chief  pleasure  is  to  see  her  brilliant,  indulges 
all  the  extravagance  of  her  capricious  taste. 
She  sighs  for  conquest  because  she  is  a  stran- 
ger to  content,  and  will  enter  into  every  scheme 
of  dissipation  with  eagerness  to  forget  for  a 
moment  her  internal  wretchedness.  She  is 
unhappy,  though  surrounded  by  splendor,  be- 
cause from  the  constitution  of  her  mind  she 
cannot  derive  happiness  from  an  object  that 
does  not  interest  her  heart. 

My  letter  shall  not  be  closed  till  after  the 
ball  of  which  I  suppose  you  will  be  glad  to 
have  a  description. 

But  why  do  you  not  write  to  me  ? 

I  am  ignorant  of  your  pursuits  and  even 
of  the  place  of  your  abode,  and  though  con- 
vinced that  you  cannot  forget  me,  I  am  afflic. 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


ted  if  I  do  not  receive  assurances  of  your  friend= 
sliip  by  every  vessel  that  arrives  ! 

Clara  has  not  uTitten,  for  nothing  has 
therto  had  power  to  rouse  her  from  the  lethar- 
gy into  which  she  had  sunk.  Perhaps  the 
scenes  of  gaiety  in  which  she  is  now  going  to 
engage  may  dispell  the  gloom  which  threaten- 
ed to  destroy  all  the  energy  of  her  charming 
mind.  Perhaps  too  these  scenes  may  be  more 
fatal  to  her  peace  than  the  gloom  of  which  I 
complain,  for  in  this  miserable  world  we  know 
not  what  to  desire.  The  accomplishment  of 
our  wishes  is  often  a  real  misfortune.  We 
pass  our  lives  in  searching  after  happiness, 
and  how  many  die  without  having  found  it ! 

In  Continuation, 

Well  my  dear  friend  the  ball  is  over — that 
ball  of  which  I  promised  you  a  description. 
But  who  can  describe  the  heat  or  suffocating 
sensations  felt  in  a  crowd  ? 

The  General  has  an  agreeable  face,  a  sweet 
mouth,  and  most  enchanting  smile  ;  but 

Like  the  sun,  he  shone  on  all  alike," 


24 


HORRORS  OF 


and  paid  no  particular  attention  to  any  object. 
His  uniform  was  a  la  hussar ^  and  very  brilliant; 
he  wore  red  boots :— but  his  person  is  bad,  he 
is  too  short ;  a  Bacchus-like  figure,  which  ac- 
cords neither  with  my  idea  of  a  great  General 
nor  a  great  man. 

But  you  know  one  of  my  faults  is  to  create 
objects  in  my  imagination  on  the  model  of  my 
incomparable  friend,  and  then  to  dislike  every 
thing  I  meet  because  it  falls  short  of  my  expec- 
tations. 

I  was  disappointed  at  the  ball,  because  I 
was  confounded  in  the  crowd,  but  my  disap- 
pointment was  trifling  compared  with  that 
felt  by  Clara.  Accustomed  to  admiration  she 
expected  to  receive  it  on  this  occasion  in  no 
moderate  portion,  and  to  find  herself  undis- 
tinguished was  not  flattering.  She  did  not 
dance,  staid  only  an  hour,  and  has  declared 
against  all  balls  in  future.  But  there  is  one 
announced  by  the  Admiral  which  may  perhaps 
induce  her  to  change  her  resolution. 

Madame  Le  Clerc  has  sailed  for  France 
with  the  body  of  her  husband,  which  was  em- 
balmed here. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


25 


The  place  is  tranquil.  The  arrival  of  Ge- 
neral Rochambeau  seems  to  have  spread  terror 
among  the  negroes.  I  wish  they  were  reduced 
to  order  that  I  might  see  the  so  much  vaunted 
habitations  where  I  should  repose  beneath  the 
shade  of  orange  groves ;  walk  on  carpets  of 
rose  leaves  and  frenchipone;  be  fanned  to  sleep 
by  silent  slaves,  or  have  my  feet  tickled  into  ^ 
extacy  by  the  soft  hand  of  a  female  attendant. 

Such  were  the  pleasures  of  the  Creole  ladies 
whose  time  w^as  divided  between  the  bath,  the 
table,  the  toilette  and  the  lover. 

What  a  delightful  existence  !  thus  to  pass 
away  life  in  the  arms  of  voluptuous  indolence; 
to  wander  over  flowery  fields  of  unfading  ver- 
dure, or  through  forests  of  majestic  palm-trees, 
sit  by  a  fountain  bursting  from  a  savage  rock 
frequented  only  by  the  cooing  dove,  and  in- 
dulge in  these  enchanting  solitudes  all  the  re- 
veries of  an  exalted  imagination. 

But  the  moment  of  enjoying  these  plea- 
sures is,  I  fear,  far  distant.  The  negroes  have 
felt  during  ten  years  the  blessing  of  liberty, 
for  a  blessing  it  certainly  is,  however  acquired, 
and  they  will  not  be  easily  deprived  of  it.  they 

D 


26 


HORRORS  OF 


have  fought  and  vanquished  the  French  troops, 
and  their  strengh  has  increased  from  a  know- 
ledge of  the  weakness  of  their  opposers,  and 
the  cUmate  itself  combats  for  them.  Inured 
to  a  savage  Ufe  they  lay  in  the  woods  without 
being  injured  by  the  sun,  the  dew  or  the  rain. 
A  negro  eats  a  plantain,  a  sour  orange,  the 
herbs  and  roots  of  the  field,  and  requires  no 
cloathing,  whilst  this  mode  of  living  is  fatal  to  the 
European  soldiers.  The  sun  and  the  dew  are 
equally  fatal  to  them,  and  they  have  perished 
in  such  numbers  that,  if  reinforcements  do 
not  arrive,  it  will  soon  be  impossible  to  defend 
the  town. 

The  country  is  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the 
negroes,  and  whilst  their  camp  abounds  in 
provisions,  every  thing  in  town  is  extremely 
scarce  and  enormously  dear. 

Every  evening  several  old  Creoles,  who 
live  near  us,  assemble  at  our  house,  and  talk 
of  their  affairs.  One  of  them,  whose  annual 
income  before  the  revolution  was  fifty  thou- 
sand dollars,  which  he  always  exceeded  in  his 
expenses,  now  lives  in  a  miserable  hut  and 
prolongs  with  the  greatest  difficulty  his  wretch- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


27 


ed  existence.  Yet  he  still  hopes  for  better 
days,  in  which  hope  they  all  join  him.  The 
distress  they  feel  has  not  deprived  them  of 
their  gaiety.  They  laugh,  they  sing,  they  join 
in  the  dance  with  the  young  girls  of  the  neigh- 
bourhood, and  seem  to  forget  their  cares  in  the 
pr-ospect  of  having  them  speedily  removed. 


29 


LETTER  IV. 


Cape  Francois. 

The  ball  announced  by  the  admiral  ex- 
ceeded all  expectations  and  we  are  still  all  ex- 
tacy.  Boats,  covered  with  carpets,  conveyed 
the  company  from  the  shore  to  the  vessel, 
which  was  anchored  about  half  a  mile  from 
the  land,  and  on  entering  the  ball  room  a  fairy 
palace  presented  itself  to  the  view.  The  decks 
were  floored  in;  a  roof  of  canvas  was  suspen- 
ded over  the  whole  length  of  the  vessel,  which 
reached  the  floor  on  each  side,  and  formed  a 
beautiful  apartment.  Innumerable  lustres  of 
chrystal  and  wreaths  of  natural  flowers  orna- 
mented the  cieling;  and  rose  and  orange -trees, 
in  full  blossom,  ranged  round  the  room,  filled 
the  air  with  fragrance.  The  seats  were  ele= 
vated,  and  separated  from  the  part  appropri- 
ated to  dancing,  by  a  light  balustrade.    A  gal- 

d  2 


30 


Horrors  of 


lery  for  the  musicians  was  placed  round  the 
main-mast,  and  the  whole  presented  to  the  eye 
an  elegant  saloon,  raised  by  magic  in  a  wil- 
derness of  sweets.  Clara  and  myself,  accom- 
panied by  her  husband  and  Major  B  , 

were  among  the  first  who  arrived.  Never  had 
I  beheld  her  so  interesting.  A  robe  of  white 
crape  shewed  to  advantage  the  contours  of  her 
elegant  person.  Her  arms  and  bosom  were 
bare ;  her  black  hair,  fastened  on  the  top  with 
a  brilliant  comb,  was  ornamented  by  a  rose 
which  seemed  to  have  been  thrown  there  by 
accident. 

We  were  presented  to  the  admiral,  who 
appeared  struck  by  the  figure  of  Clara,  and 
was  saying  some  very  flattering  things,  when 
a  flourish  of  martial  music  announced  the  ar- 
rival of  the  General  in  chief.  The  admiral 
Jbastencd  to  meet  him,  and  they  walked  round 
the  room  together. 

When  the  dances  began  the  general  leaned 
against  the  orchestra  opposite  Clara.  Her  eyes 
met  his.  She  bent  them  to  the  ground,  raised 
them  timidly  and  found  those  of  the  general 
£xed  on  her :  a  glow  of  crimson  sufliised  itself 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


51 


over  her  face  and  bosom.  I  observed  her  at- 
tentively and  knew  it  was  the  flush  of  triumph ! 
She  declined  dancing,  but  when  the  walses 
began  she  was  led  out.  Those  who  have  not 
seen  Clara  walse  know  not  half  her  charms. 
There  is  a  physiognomy  in  her  form  !  every 
motion  is  full  of  soul.  The  gracefulness  of 
her  arms  is  imequalled,  and  she  is  lighter  than 
gossamer. 

The  eyes  of  the  general  dwelt  on  her  alone, 
and  I  heard  him  inquire  of  several  who  she 
was. 

The  walse  finished,  she  walked  round  the 

room  leaning  on  the  arm  of  Major  B  . 

The  general  followed,  and  meeting  her  hus- 
band, asked  (pointing  to  Clara)  if  he  knew  the 
name  of  that  lady.  Madame  St.  Louis,  was 
the  reply.  I  thought  she  was  an  American  said 
the  general.  So  she  is,  replied  St  Louis,  but 
her  husband  is  a  Frenchman.  That's  true,  ad- 
ded the  general,  but  they  say  he  is  a  d  d 

jealous  fool,  is  he  here  "?  He  has  the  honour  of 
answering  you,  said  St  Louis.  The  general 
was  embarrassed  for  a  moment,  but  recover- 
ing himself  said,  I  am  not  surprised  at  your 


32 


HORRORS  OF' 


being  jealous,  for  she  is  a  charming  creature. 
And  he  continued  uttering  so  many  flattering 
things  that  St.  Louis  was  in  the  best  humour 
imaginable.  When  Clara  heard  the  story, 
she  laughed,  and,  I  saw,  was  delighted  with 
a  conquest  she  now  considered  assured. 

When  she  sat  down.  Major  B  pre- 
sented the  General  to  her,  and  his  pointed  at- 
tention rendered  her  the  object  of  universal 
admiration.  He  retired  at  midnight :  the  ball 
continued.  An  elegant  collation  was  served 
up,  and  at  sunrise  we  returned  home  1 

The  admiral  is  a  very  agreeable  man,  and 
I  would  prefer  him,  as  a  lover,  to  any  of  his 
officers,  though  he  is  sixty  years  old.  His 
manners  are  affable  and  perfectly  elegant ;  his 
figure  graceful  and  dignified,  and  his  conver- 
sation sprightly.  He  joined  the  dance  at  the 
request  of  a  lady,  with  ail  the  spirit  of  youth, 
and  appeared  to  enjoy  the  pleasure  which  his 
charming  fete  diffused. 

He  told  Clara  that  he  would  twine  a  wreath 
of  myrtle  to  crown  her,  for  she  had  vanquish- 
ed the  General.  She  replied,  that  she  would 
mingle  it  with  laurel,  and  lay  it  at  his  feet  for 


ST.  D0MI2siG0. 


33 


having,  by  preserving  the  Cape,  given  her  an 
opportunity  of  making  the  conquest. 

Nothing  is  heard  of  but  balls  and  parties. 
Monsieur  D'Or  gives  a  concert  every  Thurs- 
day ;  the  General  in  chief  every  Sun  da}'  :  so 
that  from  having  heid  no  amusement  we  are  in 
danger  of  falling  into  the  other  extreme,  and 
of  bemg  satiated  with  pleasure. 

The  Negroes  remain  pretty  tranquil  in 
this  quarter;  but  at  Port-au-Piince,  and  in  its 
neighbourhood,  they  have  been  very  trouble- 
some. 

Jeremie,  Les  Cayes,  and  all  that  part  of  the 
island  which  had  been  preserv-ed,  during  the 
revolution,  by  the  exertions  of  the  inhabitants, 
have  been  lost  since  the  appearance  of  the 
French  troops  1 

The  Creoles  complain,  and  they  have 
cause ;  for  they  find  in  the  army  sent  to  de- 
fend them,  oppressors  who  appear  to  seek 
their  destruction.  Their  houses  and  their  ne- 
gi'oes  are  put  under  requisition,  and  they  are 
daily  exposed  to  new  vexations. 

Some  of  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  the 
island,  vrho  had  emigrated,  begin  to  think 


34 


HORRORS  OF 


that  their  hopes  were  too  sanguine,  and  that 
they  have  returned  too  soon  from  the  peace- 
ful retreats  they  found  on  the  continent.  They 
had  supposed  that  the  appearance  of  an  army 
of  thirty  thousand  men  would  have  reduced 
the  negroes  to  order;  but  these  conquerors  of 
Italy,  unnerved  by  the  climate,  or  from  some 
other  cause,  lose  all  their  energy,  and  lly  be- 
fore the  undisciplined  slaves. 

Many  of  the  Creoles,  who  had  remained 
on  the  island  during  the  reign  of  Toussaint, 
regret  the  change,  and  say  that  they  were  less 
vexed  by  the  negroes  than  by  those  who  have 
come  to  protect  them. 

And  these  negroes,  notwithstanding  the 
state  of  brutal  subjection  in  which  they  were 
kept,  have  at  length  acquired  a  knowledge  of 
their  own  strength.  More  than  five  hundred 
thousand  broke  the  yoke  imposed  on  them  by 
a  few  thousand  men  of  a  different  colour,  and 
claimed  the  rights  of  which  they  had  been  so 
cruelly  deprived.  Unfortunate  were  those 
who  witnessed  the  horrible  catastrophe  which 
accompanied  the  first  wild  transports  of  free- 
dom !    Dearly  have  they  paid  for  the  luxuri- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


35 


ous  ease  in  which  they  revelled  at  the  expense 
of  these  oppressed  creatures.  Yet  even  among 
these  slaves,  self- emancipated,  and  rendered 
furious  by  a  desire  of  vengeance,  examples  of 
fidelity  and  attachment  to  their  masters  have 
been  found,  which  do  honour  to  human  na- 
ture. 

For  my  part,  I  am  all  anxiety  to  return  to 
the  continent.  Accustomed  from  my  earliest 
infancy  to  wander  on  the  delightful  banks  of 
the  Schuylkill,  to  meet  the  keen  air  on  Ken- 
sington bridge,  and  to  ramble  over  the  fields 
which  surround  Philadelphia,  I  feel  like  a 
prisoner  in  this  little  place,  built  on  a  narrow 
strip  of  land  between  the  sea  and  a  mountain 
that  rises  perpendicularly  behind  the  town. 
There  is  to  be  sure  an  opening  on  one  side  to 
the  plain,  but  the  negroes  are  there  encamp- 
ed ;  they  keep  the  ground  of  which  general 
Le  Clerc  suffered  them  to  take  possession, 
and  threaten  daily  to  attack  the  town  ! 

There  is  no  scarcity  of  beaux  here,  but 
the  gallantry  of  the  French  officers  is  fatiguing 
from  its  sameness.  They  think  their  appear- 
ance alone  sufficient  to  secure  a  conquest,  and 


36  HORRORS  Qi 

do  not  conceive  it  necessary  to  give  their 
yielding  mistresses  a  decent  excuse  by  pay- 
ing them  a  litde  attention.  In  three  days  a 
love-affair  is  begun  and  finished  and  forgot- 
ten;  the  first  is  for  the  declaration,  the  se- 
cond is  the  day  of  triumph  if  it  is  deferred  so 
long,  and  the  third  is  for  the  adieu. 

The  Creoles  do  not  relish  the  attacks  made 
on  their  wives  by  the  officers.  The  husband 
of  Clara  in  particular  is  as  jealous  as  a  Turk, 
and  has  more  than  once  shewn  his  displeasure 
at  the  pointed  attentions  of  the  General-in- 
chief  to  his  wife,  which  she  encourages,  out 
of  contradiction  to  her  husband  rather  than 
from  any  pleasure  they  afford  her.  The  bois- 
terous gaiety  and  soldier-like  manners  of  ge- 
neral  Rochambeau,  can  have  made  no  impres- 
sion on  a  heart  tender  and  delicate  as  is  that 
of  Clara.  But  there  is  a  vein  of  coquetry  in 
her  composition  which^  if  indulged,  will  cven^ 
tually  destroy  her  peace, 

A  tragical  event  happened  lately  at  Port- 
au-Prince.  At  a  public  breakfast,  given  by 
the  commandant,  an  officer  just  arrived  from 
France,  addressing  himself  to  a  lady,  called 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


37 


her  citoyenne, — The  lady  observed  that,  she 
would  never  answer  to  that  title.  The  stran- 
ger replied  that  she  ought  to  be  proud  of  be- 
ing so  called.  On  wliich  her  husband,  inter- 
fering, said  that  his  wife  should  never  answer 
to  any  mode  of  address  that  she  found  dis- 
pleasing. No  more  passed  at  that  time,  but 
before  noon  Monsieur  C  received  a  chal- 
lenge :  the  choice  of  weapons  being  left  to 
him,  he  said  that  it  w^as  absolutely  indifferent: 
the  stranger  insisted  on  fighting  with  a  rifle  ; 

Monsieur  C          replied  that  he  should  have 

no  objection  to  fight  with  a  cannon  :  it  was 
however,  finally  settled,  that  the  affair  should 
be  decided  with  pistols  ;  and  at  sun-rise  next 
morning  they  met :  the  officer  fired  without 

effect.    Monsieur  C  ,  with  surer  aim  laid 

his  antagonist  lifeless  on  the  ground. 

On  what  trifles  depends  the  destiny  of 
man  !  but  the  Europeans  are  so  insolent  that 
a  few  such  lessons  are  absolutely  necessary  to 
correct  them. 

Monsieur  C  is  a  Creole,  and  belongs 

ed  to  the  Staff  of  the  general  who  commands 
at  Port-au-Prince,  from  which  he  has  been 

E 


38 


HORRORS  Oi 


dismissed  in  consequence  of  this  affair,  which 
is  another  proof  of  the  hatred  the  French  offi- 
cers bear  the  inhabitants  of  this  country. 

We  have  here  a  General  of  division,  who 
is  enriching  himself  by  all  possible  means, 
and  with  such  unblushing  rapacity,  that  he  is 
universally  detested.  He  was  a  blacksmith 
before  the  revolution,  and  his  present  pursuits 
bear  some  affinity  to  his  original  employment, 
having  taken  possession  of  a  plantation  on 
which  he  makes  charcoal,  and  which  he  sells 
to  the  amount  of  a  hundred  dollars  a  day.  A 
carricature  has  appeared  in  which  he  is  repre- 
sented tying  up  sacks  of  coal.  Madame  A—-, 
his  mistress,  standing  near  him,  holds  up  his 
embroidered  coat  and  says,  "Don't  soil  your- 
"  self.  General." 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


39 


LETTER  V. 


Calje  Francoh* 
J. 

Three  of  your  letters  arriving  at  the  same 
time,  my  dear  friend,  have  made  me  bkish  for 
my  impatience,  and  force  me  to  acknowledge 
that  I  have  wronged  you.  But  your  friend- 
ship is  so  necessary  to  my  happiness  that  the 
idea  of  losing  it  is  insupportable.  You  know 
what  clouds  of  misfortune  have  obscured  my 
life.  An  orphan  without  friends,  without  sup- 
port, separated  from  my  sister  from  my  infan- 
cy, and,  at  an  age  when  the  heart  is  most  alive 
to  tenderness  and  affection,  deprived  by  the 
unrelenting  hand  of  death,  of  him  who  had 
taught  me  to  feel  all  the  transports  of  passion, 
and  for  whose  loss  I  felt  all  its  despair — Cast 
on  the  world  without  an  asylum,  without  re- 
source, I  met  you: — you  raised  me — soothed 
me — ^ whispered  peace  to  my  lacerated  breast ! 


40 


HORRORS  OF 


Ah  !  can  I  ever  forget  that  delightful  moment 
when  your  care  saved  me  ?  It  was  so  long 
since  I  had  known  sympathy  or  consolation 
that  my  astonished  soul  knew  not  how  to 
receive  the  enchanting  visitants;  fleeting  as 
fervenf  was  my  joy  :  but  let  me  not  repine  ! 
Your  friendship  has  shed  a  ray  of  light  on 
my  solitary  way,  and  though  removed  from 
the  influence  of  your  immediate  presence,  I 
exist  only  in  the  hope  of  seeing  you  again. 

In  restoring  me  to  my  sister,  at  the  mo- 
ment of  her  marriage,  you  procured  for  me  a 
home  not  only  respectable,  but  in  which  all 
the  charms  of  fashionable  elegance,  all  the  at- 
tractions of  pleasure  are  united.  Unfortu- 
nately, Clara,  amidst  these  intoxicating  scenes 
of  ever- varying  amusement,  and  attended  by 
crowds,  who  offer  her  the  incense  of  adulation, 
is  wretched,  and  I  cannot  be  happy  ! 

You  know  her  early  habits  have  been  dif- 
ferent from  mine  ;  affluence  might  have  been 
thought  necessary  to  her,  yet  the  sensibility 
of  her  heart  rejects  the  futile  splendour  that 
surrounds  her,  and  the  tears  that  often  stain 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


41 


her  brilliant  robes,  shew  that  they  cover  a  bo-^ 
som  to  which  peace  is  a  stranger ! 

The  fortune  of  her  husband  was  his  only- 
advantage.  The  friend  who  had  been  charg- 
ed with  Clara  from  her  infancy  had  accustom- 
ed her  to  enjoy  the  sweets  of  opulence,  and 
thought  nothing  more  desirable  than  to  place 
her  in  a  situation  where  she  could  still  com- 
mand them.  Alas  her  happiness  has  been  the 
sacrifice  of  his  mistaken,  though  well  meant, 
intentions.  St.  Louis  is  too  sensible  of  the 
real  superiority  of  his  wife  not  to  set  some 
value  on  that  which  he  derives  from  his  mo- 
ney, and  tears  of  bitterest  regret  often  fill  her 
eyes  when  contemplating  the  splendor  which 
has  been  so  dearly  purchased.  Though  to  me 
he  has  been  invariably  kind  yet  my  heait  is  torn 
with  regret  at  the  torments  which  his  irascible 
temper  inflict  on  his  wife.  They  force  her  to 
seek  relief  in  the  paths  of  pleasure,  whilst  des- 
tined by  nature  to  embellish  the  sphere  of  do= 
mestic  felicity. 


43 


LETTER  VI. 


Cape  Francois, 

General  Rochambeau  has  given  Clara  a 
proof  of  his  attention  to  her  wishes  at  once 
delicate  and  flattering.  She  dined  with  a  large 
party  at  the  Government. house,  where,  as 
usual,  he  was  entirely  devoted  to  her.  After 
dinner,  he  led  her,  followed  by  the  company, 
to  a  saloon,  that  was  fitting  up  for  a  dining- 
room.  It  was  ornamented  with  military-  tro- 
phies, and  on  every  pannel  was  written  the 
name  of  some  distinguished  chief. 

On  one  Buonaparte,  on  another  Frederic, 
on  another  Massena,  &c. 

Clara  said  it  was  very  pretty,  but  that 
Washington  should  also  have  found  a  place 
there  ! 

A  few  days  after,  a  grand  ball  was  given, 


44 


HORRORS  OF 


and,  on  entering  the  ball-room,  we  saw,  on  a 
pannel  facing  the  door, 

Washington,  Liberty,  and  Independence ! 

This  merited  a  smile,  and  the  general  re- 
ceived a  most  gracious  one.  It  was  new- 
year's  eve.  When  the  clock  struck  twelve, 
Clara,  approaching  the  general,  took  a  rose 
from  her  bosom,  saying,  let  me  be  the  first  to 
wish  you  a  happy  new-year,  and  to  offer  you 
les  etrennes. 

He  took  the  rose,  passed  it  across  his  lips, 
and  put  it  in  his  bosom. 

The  next  morning,  an  officer  called  on  her, 
and  presented  her  a  pacquet  in  the  name  of 
the  general  in  chief.  On  opening  it  she  found 
a  brilliant  cross,  with  a  superb  chain,  accom- 
panied by  an  elegant  billet,  praying  her  accept- 
ance of  these  trifles. 

Take  it  back,  she  exclaimed,  I  gave  the 
general  a  flower,  and  will  accept  nothing  of 
greater  value. — The  officer  refused,  and,  as 
the  eyes  of  her  husband  expressed  no  disap- 
probation, she  kept  it. 

We  have  since  learned  that  it  is  customa- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


45 


ry  to  make  at  this  season,  magnificent  pre- 
sents, and  this  accounts  for  the  passiveness  of 
St.  Louis  on  this  occasion. 

Shortly  after,  at  a  breakfast  given  by  Ma- 
dame A  ,  Clara  appeared  with  her  bril- 
liant cross  :  the  General  was  there. 

When  they  sat  down  to  table,  he  offered 
her  an  apple,  which  she  declined  accepting. 
Take  it,  said  he,  for  on  Mount  Ida  I  would 
have  given  it  to  you,  and  in  Eden  I  would 
have  taken  it  from  you. 

She  replied  laughing,  no,  no ;  since  you 
attach  so  much  value  to  your  apple  I  certainly 
will  not  accept  it,  for  I  wish  equally  to  avoid 
discord  and  temptation. 

Her  husband  looked  displeased,  and  with* 
drew  as  soon  as  possible. 

On  their  return  home,  he  told  her  that  her 
flirting  with  the  General,  if  carried  much  far- 
ther, would  probably  cost  her  too  dear.  She 
became  serious,  and  I  foresee  the  approaching 
destruction  of  all  domestic  tranquillity. 

Clara,  proud  and  high  spirited,  will  sub- 
mit to  no  control.  If  her  husband  reposed 
confidence  in  her  she  would  not  abuse  it.  But 


46 


HORRORS  OF 


ilis  soul  cannot  raise  itself  to  a  level  with  that 
of  his  wife,  and  he  will  strive  in  vain  to  re- 
duce her  to  that  of  his  own. 

He  has  declared  that  she  shall  go  to  no 
more  balls ;  and  she  has  declared  as  peremp- 
torily, that  she  will  go  where  she  pleases.  So 
on  the  first  public  occasion  there  will  be  a 
contest  for  supremacy,  which  will  decide  for- 
ever the  empire  of  the  party  that  conquers. 

Their  jarrings  distress  me  beyond  mea- 
sure. I  had  hoped  to  find  tranquillity  with 
my  sister,  but  alas  1  she  is  herself  a  stranger 
to  it. 

I  have  no  pleasure  but  that  which  the  re- 
collection of  your  friendship  affords,  which 
will  be  dear  to  my  heart  whilst  that  heart  is 
conscious  of  feeling  or  affection. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


*47 


LETTER  VIL 


Cape  Francois. 

The  brigands  have  at  length  made  the  at- 
tack they  so  long  threatened,  and  we  have 
been  terribly  alarmed. 

On  Thursday  last,  one  party  approached 
the  fort  before  day  break,  whilst  another, 
passing  behind  the  baiTier,  w^hichis  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  plain,  unobserved  by  the  guard, 
surprised  fort  Belleair,  which  stands  on  an  ele- 
vation adjoming  the  to^.vn,  and  killed  the  offi- 
cer and  twelve  soldiers.  The  wife  of  the  of- 
ficer, who  commanded  that  post,  had  gone, 
the  day  before  to  stay  with  her  husband.  Her- 
self  and  her  child  were  pierced  by  the  same 
bayonet.  The  body  of  the  officer  lay  across 
the  bed,  as  if  he  had  died  in  the  act  of  defend- 
ing them. 

The  negroes  vv'ere  advancing  silently  into 


48 


HORRORS  OF 


the  town,  when  they  were  discovered  by  a  cen- 
tinel  who  gave  the  alarm. 

The  troops  rushed  to  arms.  The  Brigands 
were  repulsed  :  but  those  who  had  taken  pos- 
session of  fort  Belleair  made  a  vigorous  resist- 
ance. 

St,  Louis,  who  commands  a  company  in  the 
guarde  nationale,  was  the  first  on  the  field. 
It  was  discovered  that  the  negroes  in  the  town 
intended  to  join  those  who  attacked  it  from 
without  and  to  kill  the  women  and  children, 
who  where  shut  up  in  their  houses,  without 
any  one  to  defend  them  ;  but  the  patroles  of 
the  guarde  d'honneur  prevented,  by  their  vi- 
gilance, the  execution  of  this  design. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  general  sent  to  tell 
Clara  that  the  part  of  the  town  she  lived  in 
being  very  much  exposed,  she  had  better  come 
to  his  house  and  he  would  send  her  on  board 
the  admiral's  vessel. 

She  replied  that  it  was  impossible  for  her 
to  go,  her  husband  having  desired  her  on  no 
account  to  leave  the  house  ;  therefore  she 
added,  Here  1  must  stay  if  I  am  sure  to 
perish." 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


49 


The  action  conimued  at  the  barrier  and  ad  - 
vanced posts  during  the  day.  The  negroes, 
depending  on  their  numbers,  seemed  deter- 
mined  to  decide  at  once  the  fate  of  the  town, 
and  we  passed  the  day  in  a  situation  which  I 
cannot  describe. 

In  the  evening  the  general  sent  an  officer 
to  tell  Clara  that  he  had  some  news  from  her 
husband  which  he  could  communicate  to  none 
but  herself. 

The  first  idea,  that  presented  itself  was, 
that  St.  Louis  had  been  killed.  She  seized 
my  arm  and  without  waiting  to  take  even  a 
veil  hurried  out  of  the  house. 

A  gloomy  silence  reigned  throughout  the 
streets.  She  arrived  breathless  at  the  govern- 
ment house.  The  general  met  her  in  the  hall, 
took  her  gravely  by  the  hand  and  led  her  into 
a  parlor. 

What  have  you  to  tell  me  ?  slie  cried^ 
where  is  St.  Louis  ? 

Calm  your  spirits  said  the  genei\aL  Your 
agitation  renders  you  unfit  to  hear  any  thing  ! 
But  seeing  that  his  hesitation  encreased  her 
distress,  he  said,  laughing,  your  husband  is 


50 


HORRORS  OF 


well,  has  behaved  gallantly,  and  seems  invuL 
nerable;  for  though  numbers  have  been  killed 
and  womided  at  his  post,  he  has  remained  un- 
hurt ! 

Then  v\^hy,  she  asked,  have  you  alarmed 
nie  so  unnecessarily,  and  made  me  qome  here, 
Vv  hen  you  knew  he  ha.d  desired  me  not  to  leave 
the  house  ?  He  will  never  believe  my  motive 
for  coming,  and  I  shall  be  killed ! 

The  general  strove  to  soothe  her,  said  that 
it  would  be  highly  improper  to  pass  the  night 
in  her  house,  that  several  ladies  had  embark- 
ed, and  that  she  must  go  on  board,  which  she 
positively  declined. 

At  that  moment  the  officer  who  had  ac- 
companied us,  entered,  and  presenting  some 
papers  to  the  general,  they  both  went  into  ano- 
ther  room. 

Directly  after  the  general  called  Clara. 
She  went,  and  I  followed  her.  He  was  alone, 
and  looked  as  if  he  thought  me  an  intruder, 
but  I  continued  at  her  side. 

The  papers  he  held  in  his  hand  were  dis- 
patches  from  the  camp.  He  told  her  that  St. 
Louis  would  remain  out  all  night,  and  again 


V 


ST.    BO  MIX  GO. 


requested  her  tc  tliiiik  of  her  ovvtx  safety. 
But  she  would  not  listen  to  his  proposal  of 
sending  her  on  board;  and,  attended  by  the  of- 
ficer who  had  accompanied  us,  we  returned 
home, 

Vv  hilst  the  general  was  talking  with  Clara, 
I  examined  the  apartment,  which  had  been 
Madame  Le  Clerc's  dressing-room. 

The  sofas  and  curtains  were  of  blue  sattin 
with  silver  fringe.  A  door,  which  stood  open, 
led  into  the  bedcham.ber.  The  canopy  of  the 
bed  was  in  the  form  of  a  shell,  from  which 
little  cupids  descending  held  back  with  one 
hand,  curtains  of  Vvdiite  sattin  trimmed  with 
gold,  and  pointed  with  the  other  to  a  large 
mirror  vvhich  formed  the  tester.  On  a  table, 
in  the  form  of  an  altar,  which  stood  near  the 
bed,  Vv'as  an  alabaster  figure  representing  si- 
lence,  with  a  finger  on  its  lips,  raid  bearing  in 
its  hand  a  waxen  taper. 

The  first  thing  we  heard  on  our  return 
was  that  a  soldier,  sent  by  St.  Louis,  had  en- 
quired for  Clara,  and  not  finding  her,  had  re- 
turned immediately  to  the  camp. 


HORRORS  OF 


She  was  distressed  beyond  measure,  and 
exclaimed,  "  I  had  better  go  forever,  for  St, 
"Louis  will  kill  me! 

I  endeavoured  to  console  her,  though  I  felt 
that  her  apprehensions  were  not  groundless. 
She  pa.ssed  the  night  in  agony,  and  awaited 
the  return  of  her  husband  in  the  most  painful 
agitation. 

At  ten  the  next  morning  he  arrived,  ha* 
vlng  left  his  post  without  orders,  and  thus 
exposed  himself  to  all  the  rigours  of  a  court- 
martial. 

He  was  trembling  with  rage,  transported 
with  fury,  and  had  iriore  the  air  of  a  demon 
than  a  man,  ■ 

I  know  your  conduct  madam,  he  cried,  on 
entering,  you  left  tlie  house  contrary  to  my 
desire ;  but  I  shall  find  means  of  punishing 
you,  and  of  covering  with  shame  the  monster 
who  has  sought  to  destroy  me  I 

lie  seized  her  by  the  arm,  and  dragging 
her  into  a  little  dressing-room  at  the  end  of 
the  gallery,  locked  her  in,  and,  taking  the  key 
in  his  pocket,  went  to  the  government  house, 
and  v/ithout  waiting  till  the  officers  in  the  an- 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


53 


tichamber  announced  him,  entered  the  room 
where  the  general  was  alone,  reclining  on  a 
sofa,  who  arose,  and  approaching  him  fami- 
liai'ly  said,  "  St.  Louis,  I  am  glad  to  see  you, 
and  was  just  thinking  of  you  ;  but  did  not 
know  that  you  had  been  relieved." 

I  have  not  been  relieved,  replied  St,  Louis, 
but  have  left  a  post  where  I  was  most  unjust- 
ly placed  and  kept  all  night,  to  give  you  an 
opportunity  of  accomplishing  your  infernal 
designs.  You  expected,  no  doubt,  that  I 
would  have  shared  the  fate  of  my  brave  com- 
panions, which  I  have  escaped,  and  am  here 
to  tell  you  what  every  body  believes  but  which 
no  body  dares  utter,  that  you  are  a  villain  I — - 
I  know  to  what  I  am  exposed  in  consequence 
of  leaving  my  post.  You  are  my  superior,  it 
is  true  ;  but  if  you  are  not  a  coward  you  will 
v\"ave  all  distinction,  and  give  me  the  satisfac- 
tion due  to  a  gentleman  you  have  injured. 

He  then  w^alked  hastily  away,  before  the 
general  could  recover  from  his  surprise. 

The  officer,  who  had  accompanied  us  the 
night  before,  followed  and  attempted  to  soothe 
him. 

F  2 


54 


HORRORS  OF 


He  said  that  he  had  been  sent  by  the  ge- 
neral to  take  Clara  to  his  house  because  the 
part  of  the  towil  in  which  she  lived  was  abso- 
lutely unsafe,  and  that  he  had  used  a  little 
stratagem  to  induce  her  to  come,  but  that  she 
had  absolutely  refused  staying ; — that  Made- 
moiselle, '  (meaning  my  ladyship)  had  gone 
with  her,  and  that  he  had  not  left  her  till  he 
had  conducted  her  home. 

This  a  little  softened  the  rage  of  St.  Louis ! 
He  has  a  good  opinion  of  this  young  man,  who 
by  the  bye,  is  a  charming  creature.  They 
entered  the  house  together.  I  was  alone,  and 
joined  my  assurances  to  those  of  the  officer, 
that  we  had  not  quitted  Clara  an  instant. 

He  w^as  now  sorry  for  having  treated  her 
so  harshly  ;  but  did  not  regret  the  scene  that 
had  passed  at  the  general's. 

At  this  moment  a  soldier  entered,  who  told 
him  that  they  had  been  relieved  directly  after 
he  had  left  them,  and  that  no  notice  had  been 
taken  of  his  departure. 

I  now  learned  that  St.  Louis,  with  sixty 
men,  had  been  placed  in  the  most  advanced 
post,  on  the  very  summit  of  the  mountaia., 


ST.  DOMIKG0* 


55 


where  they  were  crowded  together  on  the  point 
of  a  rock.  In  this  disadvantageous  position, 
they  had  been  attacked  by  the  negroes ;  forty 
men  were  killed ;  and  the  troops  of  the  line, 
who  were  a  little  lower  dow^n,  had  offered  them 
no  assistance.  It  being  the  first  time  that  the 
guarde  nationale  had  been  placed  before  the 
troops  of  the  line  the  common  opmion  is,  that 
it  was  the  general's  intention  to  have  St.  Louis 
destroyed,  as  it  was  by  his  order  that  he  was 
so  stationed,  and  kept  there  all  night,  though 
the  other  posts  had  been  relieved  at  midnight. 

St.  Louis  forgot  his  rage  and  his  sufferings 
in  the  assurance  that  Clara  had  not  been  faith- 
less. He  went  to  the  room  in  which  he  had 
confined  her,  threw  himself  at  her  feet,  and 
burst  into  tears. 

Clara,  affected  by  his  pain,  or  ashamed  of 
having  so  tormented  him, — or  fatigued  with 
their  eternal  broils,  leaned  over  him, -and  min- 
gled her  tears  with  his. 

When  the  violence  of  her  emotion  subsid- 
ed, she  entreated  him  to  forgive  the  inconside- 
rateness  of  her  conduct,  and  vowed  that  she 
xvould  never  again  offend  him.- — But  you  have 


56 


HORRORS  OF 


destroyed  yourself,  she  continued,  the  general 
will  never  pardon  you  :  let  us  leave  this  hated 
country,  where  tranquillity  is  unknown. 

After  much  debate,  it  was  agreed  that  he 
should  send  us  to  Philadelphia,  and  that  he 
would  follow  himself  as  soon  as  he  had  ar- 
ranged his  affairs. 

Clara  keeps  her  room  and  sees  nobody, 
her  husband  is  in  despair  at  parting  with  her, 
but  proposes  following  her  immediately. 

We  embark  in  ten  days.  What  power 
shall  I  invoke  to  grant  us  favourable  winds  ? 
Whose  protection  solicit  to  conduct  me  spee- 
dily to  my  native  shores,  and  to  the  society  of 
my  friends  ? 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


LETTER  VIIL 


Cape  Francois. 

We  are  still  here,  my  dear  friend,  and  my 
disappointment  and  vexation  have  been  so 
great,  that  ten  days  have  passed  since  I  have 
written  a  single  line. 

The  general,  thinking  Clara  was  sent  away 
against  her  will,  and  determined  to  thwart  the 
intentions  of  her  husband,  laid  an  embargo  on 
all  the  vessels  in  the  port. 

St.  Louis  raved,  and  swore  she  should  not 
leave  her  room  till  he  conducted  her  on  board. 

To  prevent  all  intercourse  from  widiout. 
he  keeps  her  locked  up  in  a  small  room,  ad= 
joining  her  chamber. — Nobody,  not  even  my^ 
self,  can  see  her,  except  in  his  presence  ;  and 
thus  all  confidence  is  at  an  end  between  them 

She  weeps  continually,  and  I  am  afraid  the 
torments  she  suifers  will  destrov  her  health. 


4m 


58 


HORRORS  OF 


St.  Louis  is  unworthy  of  her :  he  thinks 
it  possible  to  force  her  to  love  him : — How 
much  more  would  a  generous  confidence  in- 
iiuence  a  heart  like  her's  ! 

Many  of  his  friends  have  represented  to 
him  the  impropriety  of  his  conduct.  The 
challenge  he  gave  general  Rochambeau  filled 
every  body  with  terror,  for  it  exposed  him  to 
certain  death.  To  have  left  his  post  without 
orders  was  a  crime  equally  serious ;  and,  if 
the  general  has  passed  them  both  over  in  si- 
lence, it  is  supposed  that  his  vengeance  only 
slumbers  for  a  time  to  be  more  sure  in  its  ef- 
fect. 

He  thinks  Clara  attached  to  the  general. 
I  know  she  is  not!  her, vanity  alone  has  been 
interested.  To  be  admired  was  her  aim,  and 
she  knew  that,  by  attracting  the  notice  of  the 
general  in  chief,  her  end  would  be  accomplish^ 
ed.  She  succeeded  even  beyond  her  wishes, 
but  it  has  been  a  dangerous  experiment ;  and 
will  cost  her,  I  fear,  the  small  portion  of  do- 
mestic peace  she  enjoyed.— Domestic y^/i<7?Yz^ 
she  never  knew !    I  am  convinced  that  she 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


59 


has  never  been  less  happy  than  since  her  mar- 
riage ! 

Nothing  can  be  more  brutal  than  St.  Louis 
in  his  rage  !  The  day  of  his  affair  with  the 
general,  he  threw  her  on  the  ground,  and  then 
dragged  her  by  the  hair  : — I  flew  to  her,  but 
his  aspect  so  terrified  me  that  I  vv^as  obliged 
to  withdraw  :  and  when  his  fits  of  tenderness 
return  he  is  as  bad  in  the  other  extreme.  He 
kneels  before  her,  entreats  her  pardon,  and 
overwhelms  her  with  caresses  more  painful  to 
her  than  the  most  terrible  effects  of  his  ill-hu- 
mour. And  then  his  temper  is  so  capricious 
that  he  cannot  be  counted  upon  a  moment.  I 
have  seen  him  obhge  her  to  stay  at  home  and 
pass  the  evening  alone  with  him.  after  she  had 
dressed  for  a  ball. 

This  does  not  accord  with  the  liberty 
French  ladies  are  supposed  to  enjoy.  But  I 
believe  Clara  is  not  the  first  wife  that  has  been 
locked  up  at  St.  Domingo,  yet  she  excites  lit- 
tle sympathy  because  she  has  not  the  good  for^ 
tune  to  be  one  of  the  privileged. 
In  Continuation. 

Certain  events,  which  shall  be  related,  pre- 


60 


HORRORS  OF 


vented  me  from  finishing  my  letter.  The  same 
events  have  produced  an  entire  change  in  our 
affairs,  and  we  are  now  fixed  at  St.  Domingo 
for  some  time. 

The  embargo  is  raised :— the  general  in 
chief  is  gone  to  Port-au-Prince  ;  all  the  belles 
of  the  Cape  have  follow^ed  him.  Clara  is  at 
liberty,  and  her  husband  content  1 

As  soon  as  we  had  an  opportunity  of  con- 
versing together,  Clara  related  to  me  occur- 
rences which  seem  like  scenes  of  romance, 
but  I  am  convinced  of  their  reality.  Under 
the  window  of  the  little  apartment  in  which 
she  was  confined,  there  is  an  old  building 
standing  in  a  court  surrounded  by  high  walls« 
The  general  informed  himself  of  the  position 
of  Clara's  chamber,  and  his  intelligent  valet, 
who  makes  love  to  one  of  her  servants,  found 
that  it  would  not  be  difficult  to  give  her  a  let-^ 
ter,  which  his  dulcinea  refused  charging  her- 
self with.  He  watched  the  moment  of  St. 
Louis's  absence,  entered  the  deserted  court, 
mounted  the  tottering  roof,  and,  calling  Clara 
to  the  window,  gave  her  the  letter,  glowing 
vnXh  the  warmest  professions  of  love,  and  su^^ 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


61 


gesting  several  schemes  for  her  escape,  one  of 
which  was,  that  she  should  embark  on  board 
a  vessel  that  he  would  indicate,  and  that  he 
would  agree  with  the  captain  to  put  into  Port- 
au-Prince,  whither  he  would  speedily  follow 
hen — Another  was,  to  escape  in  the  night  by 
the  same  window,  and  go  to  his  house,  where 
he  would  receive  and  protect  her.  But  the 
heart  of  Clara  acknowledged  not  the  empire 
of  general  Rochambeau,  nor  had  she  even  the 
slightest  intention  of  listening  to  him. 

If  her  husband  knew  all  this  it  would  cure 
him,  I  suppose,  of  his  passion  for  locking  up. 
But,  incapable  of  generosity  himself,  he  can- 
not admire  it  in  another,  and  would  atti'ibute 
her  refusal  of  the  general's  offers  to  any  mo- 
tive but  the  real  one. 

How  often  has  she  assured  me  that  she 
ivouid  prefer  the  most  extreme  poverty  to  her 
present  existence,  but  to  abandon  her  husband 
was  not  to  be  thought  of.  Yet  to  have  aban- 
doned him,  and  to  have  been  presented  as  the 
declared  mistress  of  General  Rochambeau, 
would  not  have  been  thought  a  crime  nor  have 
excluded  her  from  the  best  society! 

G 


HORRORS  OF 

Madame  G — — ,  who  has  nothing  but  her 
beauty  to  recommend  her,  (and  no  excess  of 
that)  lives  with  the  admiral  on  board  his  ves- 
sel. She  is  visited  by  every  body ;  and  no 
party  is  thought  fashionable  if  not  graced  by 
her  presence,  yet  her  manners  are  those  of  a 
poissarde  and  she  was  very  lately  in  the  lowest 
and  most  degraded  situation.  But  she  gives 
splendid  entertainments :  and  when  good  cheer 
and  gaiety  invite,  nobody  enquires  too  mi- 
nutely by  whom  they  are  offered. 

Clara  laughs  at  the  security  St.  Louis  felt 
when  he  had  her  locked  up.  Yet  in  spite  of 
bolts  and  bars  love's  messenger  reached  her. 
The  general's  letters  were  most  impassioned, 
for,  unaccustomed  to  find  resistance,  the  diffi- 
culty his  approach  to  Clara  met  added  fuel  to 
his  flame. 

You  say,  that  in  relating  public  affairs,  or 
those  of  Clara,  I  forget  my  own,  or  conceal 
them  under  this  appearance  of  neglect.  My 
fate  is  so  intimately  connected  with  that  of  my 
sister,  that  every  thing  concerning  her  must 
interest  you,  from  the  influence  it  has  on  my- 
self ;  and,  in  truth,  I  have  no  adventures.  I 


ST.  DOMIXGO. 


63 


described  in  a  former  letter,  the  gallantry  of 
the  French  officers,  but  I  have  not  repeated  the 
compliments  they  sometimes  make  me,  and 
which  have  been  offered,  perhaps,  to  every 
Vv'oman  in  town  before  they  reach  my  ear. 
But  a  civil  thing  I  heai'd  yesterday,  had  so 
much  of  originality  in  it  that  it  deserves  to  be 
remembered.  I  was  copying  a  beautiful 
dra,wing  of  the  graces,  when  a  Frenchman  I 
detest,  entered  the  room.  Approaching  the 
table  he  said.  What  mademoiselle  do  you 
paint?  1  did  not  know  that  you  possessed  that 
talent.  Vexed  at  his  intrusion.  I  asked  if 
he  knew  I  possessed  any  talents.  Certainly,  he 
replied,  every  body  acknowledges  that  you 
possess  that  of  pleasing.  Then  looking  at  the 
picture  'lat  lay  before  me,  he  continued  :  The 
modesty  of  the  graces  would  prevent  their  at- 
tempting to  draw  you.  Why?  I  asked.  Be- 
cause in  painting  you,  they  would  be  obliged 
to  copy  themselves. 

With  all  this  bavardage  receive  my  aifec 
tionate  adieu  ! 


65 


LETTER  IX, 


Cape  Francois. 

We  have  had  some  novelty  here  my  dear 
friend,  for  general  Closelle,  who  commands 
during  the  absence  of  the  general  in  chief,  has 
taken  a  new  method  to  amuse  the  people,  and 
courts  popularity  under  the  veil  of  religion. 
He  gives  no  balls,  no  concerts ;  but  he  has  had 
the  church  fitted  up,  and  the  fete  dieu  has  been 
celebrated  wdth  great  order,  magnificence  and 
solemnity.  ^ 

At  break  of  day  the  fete  was  announced 
by  the  firing  of  cannon :  at  eight  o'clock  the 
procession  left  the  church,  and  passed  throua;h 
the  principal  streets,  which  were  strewn  with 
roses;  the  fronts  of  the  houses  were  decorated 
with  green  branches,  formed  into  arches,  in- 
termingled with  wreaths  of  fiowers.  Tr»e  troops 
under  arms  v/ere  placed  in  double  ranks  on  each 

G  2 


66 


HORRORS  OF 


side  of  the  street.  The  procession  was  opened 
by  a  number  of  young  boys  dressed  in  white 
surphces,  singing  a  hymn  in  honour  of  the  day. 
They  were  followed  by  young  girls,  crowned 
with  myrtle,  bearing  in  their  hands  baskets  of 
flowers,  which  they  strewed  on  the  ground  as 
they  passed  along.  The  band  of  music  fol- 
lowed, and  then  the  priests,  bearing  golden 
censors,  in  which  were  burning  the  most  ex- 
quisite perfumes,  preceded  by  four  negroes, 
carrying  on  their  shoulders  a  golden  temple, 
ornamented  with  precious  stones,  and  golden 
angels  supporting  a  canopy  of  crimson  velvet, 
beneath  which  the  sacred  host  was  exposed  in 
a  brilliant  sagraria.  After  them  marched  ge- 
neral Clos^lle,  and  all  the  officers  of  the  civil 
and  military  departments.  The  procession 
was  closed  by  a  number  of  ladies,  covered  with 
white  veils.  As  the  temple  passed  along,  the 
soldiers  bent  one  knee  to  the  ground;  and  when 
it  returned  to  the  church,  high  mass  was  sung, 
accompanied  by  military  music. 

Clara  and  myself,  attended  by  her  everlast- 
ing beau,  major  B  ,  went  all  over  the 

town,  and  so  fatigued  our  poor  cavalier,  that 


ST.  DOMINGOe 


67 


he  actually  fell  down  ;  but  he  is  fifty  years  old, 
and  at  least  five  hundred  in  constitution ;  he 
has  been  ytry  handsome,  has  still  the  finest 
eyes  in  the  world,  is  full  of  anecdote,  and  infi= 
nitely  amusing. 

General  Closelle  is  very  handsome,  tall, 
and  elegantly  formed,  but  not  at  all  gallant, 
consequently  not  a  favourite  with  the  ladies; 
and  for  the  same  reason,  a  great  one  with  the 
gentlemen,  particularly  those  who  are  married. 
Since  the  departure  of  the  general  in  chief  he 
has  put  every  thing  on  a  new  footing;  the  for- 
tifications are  repairing,  and  block -houses  are 
erecting  all  round  the  town, 

A  few  days  since  the  negroes  attacked  a 
block-house  which  was  nearly  finished,  A  de- 
tachment commanded  by  general  Mayart,  was 
instantly  sent  out  to  support  the  guard.  As 
he  passed  under  my  window,  I  told  him  to 
hasten  and  gather  fresh  laurels.  He  replied, 
that  at  his  return  he  would  lay  them  at  my 
feet;  but,  alas  !  he  returned  no  more.  The 
negroes  were  retreating  when  he  arrived  :  a 
random  shot  struck  him,  and  he  fell  dead  from 
his  horse.  This  young  man  came  from  France 


68 


HORRORS  OF 


about  a  yeai'  ago,  a  simple  lieutenant;  he  was 
very  poor,  but  being  powerfully  protected,  ad- 
vanced rapidly  in-  the  army;  and,  what  is  infi- 
nitely surprising,  thirty  thousand  dollars,  and  a 
great  quantity  of  plate,  were  found  in  his  house 
at  his  death. 

Madame  G  ,  a  pretty  little  Parisian, 

who  was  his  favourite,  is  inconsolable.  She 
faints  when  any  body  enters  the  room,  and  re- 
peats his  name  in  gentle  murmurs.  In  the 
evening  she  languishingly  reposes  on  a  sopha 
placed  opposite  the  door,  and  seems  to  invite 
by  the  gracefulness  of  her  attitudes,  and  the 
negligence  of  her  dress,  the  whole  world  to 
console  her. 

The  most  distressing  accounts  arrive  here 
daily  from  all  parts  of  the  island. 

The  general  in  chief  is  at  Port-au-Prince, 
but  he  possesses  no  longer  the  confidence  of 
the  people.  He  is  entirely  governed  by  his 
officers,  who  are  boys,  and  who  think  only  of 
amusement.  He  gi^es  splendid  balls,  and  ele- 
gant parties*  but  he  neglects  the  army,  and 
oppresses  the  inhabit^^ 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


69 


A  black  chief  and  his  wife  were  made  pri- 
soners last  week,  and  sentenced  to  be  shot. 
As  they  walked  to  the  place  of  execution  the 
chief  seemed  deeply  impressed  with  the  hor- 
ror of  his  approaching  fate :  but  his  wife  went 
cheerfully  along,  endeavoured  to  console  him, 
and  reproached  his  want  of  courage.  When 
they  arrived  on  the  field,  in  which  their  grave 
was  already  dug,  she  refused  to  have  her  eyes 
bound;  and  turning  to  the  soldiers  who  were 
to  execute  their  sentence,  said  "  Be  expedi- 
tious, and  don't  make  me  linger."  She  re- 
ceived their  fire  without  shrinking,  and  ex- 
pired without  uttering  a  groan.  Since  the 
commencement  of  the  revolution  she  had  been 
a  very  devil !  Her  husband  commanded  at  St. 
Marks,  and  being  very  amorously  inclined, 
e^'Cry  white  lady  who  -was  unfortunate  enough 
to  attract  his  notice,  received  an  order  to  meet 
him.  If  she  refused,  she  was  sure  of  being 
destroyed,  and  if  she  complied  she  was  as  sure 
of  being  killed  by  his  wife's  orders,  which 
were  indisputable.  Jealous  as  a  tygress,  she 
watched  all  the  actions  of  her  husband ;  and 
never  failed  to  punish  the  objects  of  his  amo» 


70 


HORRORS  OF 


rous  approaches,  often  when  they  were  en» 
tirely  innocent. 

How  terrible  was  the  situation  of  these  un- 
fortunate women,  insulted  by  the  brutal  pas- 
sion of  a  negro,  and  certain  of  perishing  if  they 
-resisted  or  if  they  complied. 

This  same  fury  in  female  form  killed  with 
her  own  hand  a  white  man  who  had  been  her 
husband's  secretary.  offended  her  ;  she 
had  him  bound,  and  stabbed  him  with  a  pen- 
knife till  he  expired! 

How  often,  my  dear  friend,  do  my  sighs 
bear  my  wishes  to  your  happy  country;  how 
ardently  do  I  desire  to  revisit  scenes  hallowed 
by  recollection,  and  rendered  doubly  dear  by 
the  peaceful  security  I  there  enjoyed,  contrast- 
ed with  the  dangers  to  which  we  are  here  ex- 
posed.   Yet  the  Creoles  still  hope ;  for 

"  Hope  travels  through,  nor  quits  us  when 
we  die." 

They  think  it  impossible  that  this  island 
can  ever  be  abandon-  d  to  the  negroes.  They 
build  houses,  rebuild  those  that  were  burned, 
and  seem  secure  in  their  possession.  The 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


71 


measures  of  general  Closelle  inspire  them 
with  confidence ;  and  they  think  that  if  he  was 
commander  in  chief,  all  would  go  well.  But 
when  general  Rochambeau  was  second  in 
command,  he  was  a  favorite  with  every  body ; 
and  it  is  only  since  he  has  attained  the  sum- 
mit of  power  that  he  has  appeared  regardless 
of  public  opinion !  He  is  said  to  have  the  ta- 
lents of  a  soldier,  but  not  those  of  a  general. 
Whatever  may  be  the  fate  of  this  country,  here 
I  must  wait  with  patience,  of  which  mulish 
virtue  I  have  no  great  share,  till  some  change 
in  its  affairs  restores  me  to  my  own.  Yet  when 
there,  I  can  hope  for  nothing  more  than  tran- 
quillity. The  romantic  visions  of  happiness  I 
once  delighted  to  indulge  in,  are  fading  fast 
away  before  the  exterminating  touch  of  cold 
reality.— 

The  glowing  hand  of  hope  grows  cold. 
And  fancy  lives  not  to  be  old.  f 

But  whilst  your  friendship  is  left  me  life  will 
still  have  a  charmo 


73 


LETTER  X. 


Cape  Francois, 

It  is  not  often  in  the  tranquillity  of  domes- 
tic life  that  the  poet  or  the  historian  seek  their 
subjects!  Of  ihis  I  am  certain,  that  in  the 
calm  that  now  surrounds  us  it  ^vill  be  difficult 
for  me  to  find  one  for  my  unpoetical  pen. 

Clara  is  dull,  St.  Louis  contented,  and  I 
pass  my  time  heavily,  complaining  of  the  fate 
which  brought  me  here,  and  wishing  to  be 
away.  We  go  sometimes  to  the  concerts  given 

by  monsieur  d'Or,  where  madame  P  ^  a 

pretty  little  Parisian  sings;  and  where  madame 
A  ,  acccompanied  by  her  daughter,  pre- 
sides with  solemn  dignity.  This  lady,  who  is 
at  present  a  most  rigid  censor  of  female  con- 
duct, and  not  amiable  either  in  person  or  man- 
ners, lived  many  years  with  monsieur  A  , 

who  raised  her  from  the  rank  of  his  house- 

H 


.74 


HORROKS  OF 


keeper,  to  that  of  his  mistress.  But  he  fell  in 
love  with  another  lady,  whom  he  was  going  to 
marry.  The  deserted  fair  one  threw  herself 
in  despair  at  the  feet  of  Toussaint,  with  whom 
she  had  some  influence,  and  so  forcibly  repre- 
sented the  injustice  of  the  proceeding,  that 
Toussaint  ordered  A—  to  be  confined,  say- 
ing he  should  not  be  released  till  he  consent- 
ed to  marry  the  lady  he  had  so  long  lived  with. 
A- — —  resisted  some  time,  but  at  length  yield- 
ed, and  exchanged  his  prison  for  the  softer  one 
of  her  arms. 

Before  the  revolution  there  was  a  convent 
at  the  Cape.  The  nuns  in  general  were  very 
rich,  and  devoted  themselves  chiefly  to  the 
education  of  young  ladies :  some  of  their  pu- 
pils, I  have  heard,  would  have  done  honour  to 
^  Parisian  seminary. 

When  religion  was  abolished  in  France, 
the  rage  for  abolition,  as  well  as  that  of  revo- 
lutionizing reached  this  place,  and  the  nuns 
were  driven  from  the  convent  by  Santhonax, 
a  name  which  will  always  fill  every  French- 
man's breast  with  horror:  he  caused  the  first 
destruction  of  the  Cape.  On  the  arrival  of  ge~ 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


75 


neral  Galbo,  who  was  sent  to  supercede  him, 
he  said,  "  if  Galbo  reigns  here,  he  shall  reign 
over  ashes,"  and  actually  set  fire  to  the  town. 
The  convent  was  not  then  burned;  but  the 
society  v/as  dissolved,  the  habit  of  the  order 
laid  aside;  and  some  of  the  nuns,  profiting  by 
the  license  of  the  times,  married.  One  of 
these  became  the  wife  of  a  man  who,  during 
the  reign  of  the  negroes  committed  crimes  of 
the  deepest  die.  He  has  not  yet  received  the 
punishment  due  to  them;  but  he  awaits  in 
trembling  the  hour  of  retribution.  I  often  see 
her.  She  has  been  very  handsome,  but  her 
charms  are  now  in  the  wane ;  she  has  a  great 
deal  of  vivacity,  and  that  fluency  of  expression 
in  conversing  on  the  topics  of  the  day,  which 
gives  to  a  French  woman  the  reputation  of 
having  beaiicoiip  (Pesprit. 

I  know  also  the  lady  abbess,  %vho  is  an 
excellent  woman  of  most  engaging  manners. 
She  lives  in  a  miserable  chamber,  and  sup- 
ports herself  by  her  industry.  The  greatest 
part  of  the  community  have  perished;  and  ge- 
neral Le  Clerc  found  it  more  convenient  to 
have  the  convent  fitted  up  for  his  own  resi- 


76 


HORRORS  OF 


dence,  than  to  restore  it  to  its  owners,  the 
government  house  having^  been  entirely  de- 
stroyed. 

There  are  also  here  two  hospitals,  neither 
of  which  have  been  injured,  though  the  town 
has  been  twice  burned.  The  Hopitale  de  la 
Providence  is  an  asylum  for  the  poor,  the  sick 
and  the  stranger;  the  building  is  decent:  but 
the  Hopitale  des  Peres  de  la  Charlie  is  superb, 
surrounded  by  gardens,  ornamented  with  sta- 
tues and  fountains,  and  finished  with  all  the 
magnificence  which  their  vast  revenues  ena- 
bled its  owners  to  command. 

The  streets  of  the  town  cross  each  other 
at  right  angles,  like  those  of  Philadelphia,  and 
there  are  several  public  squares  which  add 
greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the  place.  In  the 
centre  of  each  is  a  fountain,  from  which  the 
water,  clear  as  crystal,  flows  into  marble  ba- 
sons. The  houses  are  commodious,  particu- 
larly those  of  two  stories,  which  have  all  bal- 
conies; but  the  streets  are  narrow,  and  the 
heat  would  be  intolerable  if  it  was  not  for  the 
relief  afforded  by  bathing,  which  is  here  an 
universal  custom,  and  for  the  sea-breezes 


ST.  DOMIMGOo 


which,  rising  every  afternoon,  waft  on  their 
wings  deUcious  coohiess. 

The  mulatto  women  are  the  hated  but  suc- 
cessful rivals  of  the  Creole  ladies.  Many  of 
them  are  extremely  beautiful;  and,  being  des- 
tined from  their  birth  to  a  life  of  pleasure, 
they  are  taught  to  heighten  the  power  of  their 
charms  by  all  the  aids  of  art,  and  to  express 
in  every  look  and  gesture  all  the  refinements 
of  voluptuousness.  It  may  be  said  of  them, 
that  their  very  feet  speak.  In  this  country  that 
unfortunate  class  of  beings,  so  numerous  in  my 
own, — victims  of  seduction,  devoted  to  pub- 
lic contempt  and  universal  scorn,  is  unknowUo 
Here  a  false  step  is  very  rarely  made  by  an  un-- 
married  lady,  and  a  married  lady,  who  does 
not  make  one,  is  as  rare;  yet  of  both  there 
have  been  instances:  but  the  faux  pas  of  a 
married  lady  is  so  much  a  matter  of  course, 
that  she  who  has  only  one  lover,  and  retains 
him  long  in  her  chains,  is  considered  as  a  mo- 
del of  constancv  and  discretion. 

To  the  destiny  of  the  women  of  colour  no 
infamy  is  attached;  ^hey  have  inspired  pas- 
sions which  have  lasted  through  life,  and  are 

H  2 


78 


HORRORS  OF 


faithful  to  their  lovers  through  every  vicissi- 
tude of  fortune  and  chance.  But  before  the 
revolution  their  splendor,  their  elegance,  their 
influence  over  the  men,  and  the  fortunes  la- 
vished  on  them  by  their  infatuated  lovers,  so 
powerfully  excited  the  jealousy  of  the  white 
ladies,  that  they  complained  to  the  council  of 
the  ruin  their  extravagance  occasioned  to  many 
families,  and  a  decree  was  issued  imposing  re- 
strictions on  their  dress.  No  woman  of  co- 
lour was  to  wear  silk,  which  was  then  univer- 
sally worn,  nor  to  appear  in  public  without  a 
handkerchief  on  her  head.  They  determined 
to  oppose  this  tyranny,  and  took  for  that  pur- 
pose  a  singular  but  effectual  resolution.  They 
shut  themselves  up  in  their  houses,  and  ap- 
peared no  more  in  public.  The  merchants 
soon  felt  the  bad  effects  of  this  determination, 
and  represepted  so  forcibly  the  injury  the  de- 
cree did  to  commerce,  that  it  was  reversed, 
and  the  olive  beauties  triumphed. 

But  the  rage  of  the  white  ladies  still  pur- 
sued  them  with  redoubled  fury,  for  what  is  so 
violent  as  female  jealousy?  The  contest  how- 
ever was  unequal,  and  the  infipence  of  their 


ST.  DOMINGO* 


7^ 


detested .  rivals  could  not  be  counteracted. 
Some  of  them  were  very  rich.  There  is  a 
friendliness  and  simplicity  in  their  manners 
which  is  very  interesting.  They  are  the  most 
caressing  creatures  in  the  world,  and  breathe 
nothing  but  affection  and  love.  One  of  their 
most  enviable  privileges,  and  which  they  in- 
herit from  nature,  is  that  their  beauty  is  im- 
mortal— they  never  fade. 

The  French  appear  to  understand  less  than 
any  other  people  the  delights  arising  from  an 
union  of  hearts.  They  seek  only  the  gratifi- 
cation  of  their  sensual  appetites.  They  gather 
the  flowers,  but  taste  not  the  fruits  of  love. 
They  call  women  the  "  beau  sexe^'^  and  know 
them  only  under  the  enchanting  form  of  mi- 
nisters of  pleasure.  They  may  appear  thus 
to  those  who  have  only  eyes;  by  those  who 
have  hearts  they  will  always  be  considered  as 
sacred  objects  of  reverence  and  love.  A  man 
who  thinks  and  feels  views  in  woman  the  be- 
neficent creature  who  nourished  him  with  her 
milk,  and  watched  over  his  helpless  infancy; 
a  consoling  being  who  soothes  his  pains  and 
softens  his  sorrows  by  her  tenderness  and  even 


80 


HORRORS  OF 


by  her  levity  and  her  sports.  But  here  female 
virtue  is  blasted  in  the  bud  by  the  contagious 
influence  of  example.  Every  girl  sighs  to  be 
married  to  escape  from  the  restraint  in  which 
she  is  held  whilst  single,  and  to  enjoy  the  un- 
bounded liberty  she  so  often  sees  abused  by 
her  mother.  A  husband  is  necessary  to  give 
her  a  place  in  society;  but  is  considered  of  so 
little  importance  to  her  happiness,  that  in  the 
choice  of  one  her  inclination  is  very  seldom 
consulted.  And  when  her  heart,  in  spite  of 
custom,  feels  the  pain  of  being  alone,  and 
seeks  an  asylum  in  the  bosom  of  her  husband, 
she  too  often  finds  it  shut  against  her;  she  is  - 
assailed  by  those  whose  only  desire  is  to  add 
another  trophy  to  their  conquests,  and  is  borne 
away  by  the  torrent  of  fashion  and  dissipation 
till  all  traces  of  her  native  simplicity  are  de- 
stroyed. She  joins  with  unblushing  front,  the 
crowd  who  talk  of  sentiments  they  never  feel, 
and  who  indulge  in  the  most  licentious  ex- 
cesses without  having  the  glow  of  passion  to 
gild  their  errors.  These  reflections  were  sug- 
gested by  a  most  preposterous  marriage,  at 
which  I  was  present.  A  girl  of  fifteen  was  sa- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


81 


crificed  by  her  grandmother  to  a  man  of  sixty, 
of  the  most  disagreeable  appearance  and  for- 
bidding manners.  The  soul  of  this  unfortu- 
nate victim  is  all  melting  softness;  she  is  of 
the  most  extraordinary  beauty;  she  is  now 
given  to  the  world,  and  in  those  who  surround 
her  she  will  find  the  destroyers  of  her  delica- 
cy, her  simplicity,  and  her  peace. 


83 


LETTER  XL 


Cape  Francois, 

To  give  you  some  idea  of  the  despotism 
that  reigns  in  this  country,  I  must  relate  an 
event  which,  though  it  originated  with  Clara, 
was  certainly  carried  farther  than  she  either 
expected  or  desired. 

On  our  arrival  here  she  engaged  a  young 
Frenchman  to  give  her  lessons  in  his  language, 
which  she  spoke  tolerably  before,  but  in  which 
she  wished  to  acquire  perfection.  After  he 
had  attended  her  some  time  she  perceived  that 
his  lessons  were  considerably  lengthened  and 
that  he  chose  for  his  themes  the  most  amorous 
and  affectionate  pieces.  Some  observations 
made  on  the  subject,  drew  from  him  a  confes- 
sion of  the  extraordinary  passion  she  had  in- 
spired.   After  laughing  at  his  folly,  she  dis- 


84 


HORRORS  OF 


missed  him,  and  thought  of  him  no  more;  but 
shordy  after  was  informed  that  he  had  circu- 
lated reports  highly  injurious  to  her.  General 
Rochambeau,  whose  ears  they  had  reached, 
asked  her  from  whence  they  arose?  and  she 
related  to  him  with  great  simplicity  the  whole 
affair.  The  general  said  he  should  be  em- 
barked, and  the  next  morning  he  was  actually 
sent  on  board  an  armed  vessel  which  was  to 
sail  in  a  few  days.  Whilst  there  he  wrote  a 
pathetic  and  elegant  little  poem  in  which  he 
represented  himself  as  the  victim  of  the  gene- 
ral's jealousy,  who  thus  sought  to  destroy  him 
for  having  interfered,  and  not  unsuccessfully, 
with  his  pursuits.  This  paper  was  sent  to  the 
man  with  whom  he  had  lived,  and  who  handed 
it  to  every  body.  Clara  was  in  despair.  She 
informed  the  general  in  chief  that  he  had  ren- 
dered the  affair,  which  was  at  first  only  ridi- 
culous, seriously  provoking:  in  consequence 
of  which  the  house  of  this  man  was  surround- 
ed by  guards,  who,  without  giving  him  time 
to  take  even  a  change  of  clothes,  conducted 
him  on  board  the  vessel  where  his  friend  was 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


85 


confined;  it  sailed  immediately  for  France, 
and  his  house  and  store,  which  were  worth  at 
least  thirty  thousand  dollars  became  the  prey 
of  the  officers  of  the  administration :  but  the 
poem  was  heard  of  no  more. 


87 


LETTER  Xn 


Cape  Francois, 

The  general  in  chief  has  returned  from 
Port-au-Prince.  Three  days  after  his  aiTival 
the  Cape  was  blockaded  by  nve  British  ships, 
and  ncAvs  was  received  of  war  having  been 
declared  between  England  and  France. 

Every  body  is  m  the  greatest  consterna- 
tion, for  inevitable  ruin  threatens  the  place. 
The  English  wiU  no  doubt  prevent  all  vessels 
from  entering  the  port,  and  ts^ke  all  that  go 
oiU;  at  the  same  time  the  negroes  are  said  to 
be  preparing  another  attack. 

The  general  brougiit  in  his  train  all  the 
belles  of  Port-au-Prince,  and  has  given  a  ball, 
at  which,  incredible  as  it  may  appeau'  to  you, 
Clai'a  and  myself  appeared.  \Mien  the  cards 
of  invitation  were  brought,  St.  Louis  decb-red 
hat  they  should  not  be  left;  but  major  B  , 


88 


HORRORS  OF 


who  was  present,  represented  so  forcibly  the 
danger  of  irritating  the  general,  who  has  shewn 
some  symptoms  of  a  disposition  to  tyrannize, 
since  his  return  which  were  never  remarked 
in  him  before,  that  he  consented  to  our  going. 
When  we  entered  the  room  attended  by  B, 
every  eye  was  fixed  on  Clara,  who  never  was 
so  lovely.  Dressed  in  a  robe  ornamented  with 
wreaths  of  flowers,  she  joined  the  sweetness 
of  Flora  to  the  lightness  of  the  youngest  of  the 
graces,  and  the  recollection  of  certain  late 
events  gave  an  air  of  timidity  to  her  looks 
which  rendered  her  enchanting.  General  Ko- 
chambeau,  by  the  warmth  of  his  manner  eh- 
creased  her  confusion,  and  fixed  on  her  more 
pointedly  the  attention  of  every  beholder.  He 
was  surprized  at  seeing  her  without  her  hus- 
band, and  enquired  what  had  wrought  so  won- 
derful  a  change  ?  She  replied  that  he  had  found 
a  very  good  representative  in  major  B— , 
and  that  he  had  acquired  a  little  confidence  in 
herself.  She  waltzed  with  more  than  her 
usual  grace,  and  the  general  seemed  flattered 
by  the  notice  she  attracted. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


89 


Most  of  the  ladies  from  Port-au-Prince 
are  widows 

"  Who  bear  about  the  mockery  of  woe 
To  midnight  dances  and  the  pubUc  shew.'* 

None  of  them  are  remarkable  for  their  beauty 
or  elegance.    The  only  new  face  worth  look- 

ing  at  was  a  madame  V  ,  lately  arrived 

from  France ;  her  hair  was  dressed  a  la  Ninon 
de  VEnclos^  part  of  it  fastened  on  the  top  of 
the  head,  the  rest  hpjiging  about  her  neck  in 
loose  curls. 

The  ball  room  had  been  newlv  furnished 
with  regal  splendor;  all  the  chairs  were  re- 
moved, and  long  sophas  wiUi  large  cushions 
offered  delightful  seats.  A  recess  at  one  end 
of  the  room  had  been  fitted  up  a  la  Turc  \  the 
walls  were  entirely  concealed  with  large  look« 
ing  glasses,  which  reached  the  ceiling;  the 
floor  was  covered  with  carpets  and  the  only 
seats  w^ere  piles  of  crimson  sattin  cushions 
thrawn  on  the  ground.  The  lustres,  veiled 
with  green  silk,  gave  a  soft  light,  imitating  that 
of  the  moon,  and  the  ensemble  breathed  an  air 
of  tranquillity  that  invited  to  repose  after  the 

I  2 


90  HORRORS  01< 

fatigue  of  dancing,  and  offered  a  retreat  from 
the  heat  which  it  was  almost  impossible  to  re= 
sist.  To  this  retreat  general  Rochambeau  led 
Clara.  A  lady  was  lolling  in  one  corner,  and 
I  entered  at  the  same  moment.  He  looked  as 
if  he  wished  us  both  away,  but  I  never  attend 
to  looks  that  I  am  resolved  not  to  understand. 


ST.  DOMINGO 


91 


LETTER  XIIL 


Cape  Francois, 

A  few  days  after  the  ball  mentioned  in  my 
last,  St.  Louis  determined  to  send  Clara  and 
myself  to  St.  Jago  de  Cuba,  and  to  follow  us 
as  scton  as  possible.  This  measure  was  op- 
posed by  major  B  ;  but  Clara  insisted, 

and  the  day  of  our  departure  was  fixed.  The 

next  day  B  breakfasted  with  us;  and  as 

soon  as  we  were,  alone,  told  Clara  that  she  was 
wrong  in  being  so  entirely  governed  by  her 
husband.  She  replied,  that  she  had  suffered 
much  in  consequence  of  coquetting  with  ge- 
neral Rochambeau,  in  which  her  only  inten^ 
tion  had  been  to  find  amusement ;  but  she  was 
now  convinced  of  its  being  highly  dangerous 
and  improper;  and  that  it  had  been  produc- 
live  of  much  ill.  She  added,  that  she  lived  in 
continual  inquietude,  and  that  nothing  would 


92 


HORRORS  OP 


induce  her  to  stay  in  the  Cape  if  she  could  get 
away. 

B  spoke  of  the  passion  of  the  general^ 
—said  he  had  seen  him  that  morning,  and  as 
a  proof  of  her  having  been  the  subject  of  their 
conversation,  gave  her  a  letter  from  him.  Is 
it  possible,  (she  exclaimed)  you  in  whom  my 
husband  has  so  much  confidence?  You  ate  a 

fool,  replied  B-  ,  and  your  husband  is  no 

better :  and  if  his  insolence  to  the  general  has 
not  been  punished  it  is  owing  to  my  inter- 
ference, 

Clara  read  the  letter.  It  was  filled  with 
professions  of  admiration  and  unalterable  love. 
He  begged  her  not  to  think  of  leaving  the 
Cape,  which  was  in  no  danger;  and  further 
said  he  had  taken  measures  to  prevent  her 
being  sent  away.  He  requested  her  to  write 
to  him,  but  this  she  positively  refused. 

Towards  noon  a  proclamation  was  issued 
ordering  all  the  passports  which  had  been 
granted  during  the  last  three  months  to  be  re- 
turned. St.  Louis  was  in  despair:  he  had  in- 
tended sending  Clara  off  without  eclat,  having 
procured  passports  before^  but  B —  betray- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


93 


ed  him.    Yet  in  B  he  has  the  most  mi-- 

bounded  confidence;  and  suffers  Clara  to  re- 
eeive  nobody  else.  She  walks  with  him  when 
she  pleases,  and  he  never  fails  on  such  occa- 
sions to  give  the  general  an  opportunity  of 
speaking  to  her. 

A  few  days  ago  we  went  to  Picolet,  to  see 
the  fort.  The  road  to  it  winds  along  the  sea- 
shore at  the  foot  of  the  mountain.  The  rocks 
are  covered  with  the  Arabian  jessamin,  which 
grows  here  in  the  greatest  profusion.  Its  flex- 
ible branches  form  among  the  cliffs  moving 
festoons  and  fantastic  ornaments,  and  its  flowers 
whiter  than  snow,  fill  the  air  with  intoxicating 
fragrance.  After  having  visited  the  fort  we 
were  preparing  to  return,  when  we  saw  a  troop 
of  horsemen  descending  the  mountain.  They 
came  full  speed.  We  soon  discovered  they 
were  the  general  and  his  suite ;  and  as  they 
followed  the  windings  of  the  road,  with  their 
uniform  a  la  mameluc^  and  their  long  sabres, 
they  appeared  like  a  horde  of  Arabs. 

The  general  arrived  first,  and  jumping  from 
his  horse,  told  Clara  that  he  had  left  the  table 
an  hour  sooner  than  usual  to  have  the  plea- 


94  HORRORS  OF 

sure  of  seeing  her.    Then,  said  she,  looking 

reproachfully  at  B  ,  you  have  a  familiar 

spirit  who  informs  you  of  my  movements  ! 
Why  not,  he  replied,  are  you  not  an  enchan-= 
tress,  and  have  you  not  employed  all  the 
powers  of  magic  to  enslave  me  ?  You  are  in 
an  error  said  Clara;  I  was  flattered  by  -  our 
admiration,  and  gratified  by  the  attentions  with 
which  you  honoured  me;  but  I  used  no  art  to 
attract  the  one,  and  am  too  sensible  of  my  own 
defects  not  to  feel  that  I  am  indebted  for  the 
other  entirely  to  your  goodness.  That  is  too 
modest  to  be  natural,  cried  the  general.  No- 
body who  possesses  your  charms  can  be  igno- 
rant of  their  power ;  nor  could  any  one  mis- 
take the  passion  I  have  evinced  for  you,  for 
the  common  attention  every  lady  receives  as 
her  due.  Then  you  do  not  believe  a  woman 
can  be  modest?  asked  Clara.  Modest  if  you 
please,  but  not  insensible,  he  replied.  And 

suffer  me  to  observe,-  Oh  no  observations, 

I  entreat,  interrupted  Clara ;  for  this  interview 
will,  I  fear,  occasion  too  many.- — But  tell  me, 
how  did  you  learn  I  was  to  be  here ;  and  why 
have  you  left  the  table  where  you  so  often  sa- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


95 


crifice  till  a  late  hour  to  the  rosy  god,  to  wan- 
der among  these  rugged  rocks  where  despair- 
ing  lovers  alone  would  seek  a  retreat?  And 
tire  you  of  that  number?  he  enquired.  No, 
she  replied :  but  I  have  not  your  motives  for 
staying  at  home :  I  was  led  here  by  curiosity; 
It  is  my  first  visit  to  this  spot.  Then  believe^ 
said  the  general,  that  I  came  here  to  offer  at 
your  feet  that  homage  which  envious  fate  has 
hitherto  deprived  me  of  an  opportunity  of  pay- 
ing. During  this  conversation,  he  had  drawn 
her  to  a  point  of  the  rock ;  and  the  officers  of 
his  suite,  surrounding  me,  sought  to  divert  my 
attention  by  all  the  common  place  compli- 
ments of  which  they  are  so  profuse.  I  had 
forgotten  Clara  for  a  moment,  when,  turning, 
I  beheld  the  general,  who  bending  one  knee 
to  the  ground,  seized  her  hand  passionately, 
and  at  the  same  time  I  saw  St.  Louis  ascend- 
ing the  mountain. 

Pressing  through  the  crowd  I  flew  to  her, 
saying,  are  you  mad?  Rise  general,  for  heaven's 
sake !  her  husband  approaches  !  what  means 
this  exhibition  of  folly  ?  Yes  I  am  mad,  he  re- 
plied, I  adore  your  sister,  and  she  refuses  to 


96 


HORRORS  Oi 


listen  to  me.  My  sister  is  married,  I  answer^ 
ed.  But,  said  he,  she  loves  not  her  husband. 
At  least  I  love  no  one  more  than  him,  said 
Clara,  trembling  at  the  idea  of  having  been 
seen  by  St,  Louis.  Fortunately  I  had  disco- 
vered  him  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  and  the 
road  winds  round  its  base  with  so  many  turn- 
ings that  it  is  of  considerable  length  and  be- 
fore he  arrived  she  was  tolerably  composed. 

You  have  deceived  me,  said  the  general. 
I  never  listened  to  you,  she  replied.  But  you 
have  read  my  letters.— I  could  not  avoid  re- 
ceiving, but  I  never  answered  them.  Still,  he 
observed,  interrupting  her,  I  will  hope ;  for 
your  eyes  cannot  utter  falsehood,  and  from 
them  I  have  received  encouragement. 

At  that  instant  St.  Louis  arrived;  he  ap- 
peared astonished  at  seeing  Clara  so  surround- 
ed,  and  advancing  involuntarily,  as  if  to  defend 
her,  took  her  arm. 

The  general,  with  his  usual  levity,  told  St. 
Louis,  that  he  came  in  time  to  prevent  him 
from  running  away  with  his  wife.  Then  twin- 
ing round  her  arm  a  wreath  of  jessamin  he  had 
t^en  from  my  hand,  said,  with  such  fetters 


ST.    DOMINGO.  97 

only  you  should  be  bound!  Does  she  fmd 
those  that  bind  her  too  heavy  ?  asked  her  hus- 
band. No,  replied  the  general,  she  seems  con- 
tent. Then  casting  a  look  of  disappointment 
at  Clara,  he  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  off. 

Major  B  engaged  St.  Louis  in  a  con- 
versation on  the  situation  of  the  colony,  which 
made  him  forget  the  dangerous  one  in  which 
he  had  found  his  wife. 

Clara,  leaning  on  my  arm,  seemed  op- 
pressed by  a  variety  of  sensations,  among 
which  indignation  predominated.  The  secu- 
rity and  presumption  of  the  general  shocked 
her,  and  the  recollection  of  having,  at  least  ne- 
gatively encouraged  him,  gave  an  additional 
pang  to  her  heart.  We  returned  slowly  home. 
Our  meeting  with  general  Rochambeau  w^as 
thought  accidental  by  St.  Louis,  and  was  taken 
no  notice  of. 


99 


LETTER  XIV, 


Cape  Francois. 

Ah,  my  dear  friend,  where  shall  I  find  ex- 
pressions to  convey  to  you  an  idea  of  the  hor- 
ror that  fills  my  soul ;  how  describe  scenes  at 
which  I  tremble  even  now  with  terror  ? 

Three  negroes  were  caught  setting  fire 
a  plantation  near  the  town.  They  wxre  sen- 
tenced to  be  burnt  alive ;  and  the  sentence  was 
actually  executed.  When  tliey  were  tied  to 
the  stake  and  the  fire  kindled,  one  of  them,  I 
understand,  held  his  head  over  the  smoke  and 
was  suffocated  immediately.  The  second 
made  horrible  contortions,  and  howled  dread- 
fully. The  third,  looking  at  him  comtemptu-- 
ously  said,  Peace  !  do  you  not  know  how  to 
die?  and  preserved  an  unalterable  firmness lill 
the  devouring  flames  consumed  him.  This 
cruel  act  has  been  blamed  by  every  body,  as 


lOQ 


HORRORS  OF 


giving  a  bad  example  to  the  negroes,  who  will 
not  fail  to  retaliate  on  the  first  prisoners  they 
take.  But  it  has  been  succeeded  by  a  deed 
which  has  absolutely  chilled  the  hearts  of  the 
people.  Every  one  trembles  for  his  own  safe- 
ty, and  silent  horror  reigns  throughout  the 
place. 

A  young  Creole,  who  united  to  the  great- 
est elegance  of  person  the  most  polished  man-- 
ners  and  the  most  undaunted  courage,  had  in- 
curred, I  know  not  how,  the  displeasure  of  ge- 
neral Rochambeau,  and  had  received  a  hint  of 
approaching  danger,  but  neither  knew  v/hat  he 
had  to  fear,  nor  how  to  avoid  it,  when  he  re- 
ceived an  order  to  pay  into  the  treasury,  be- 
fore three  o'clock,  twenty  thousand  dollars  on 
pain  of  death.  This  was  at  ten  in  the  morn- 
ing. He  thought  at  first  it  was  a  jest;  but 
when  assured  that  the  order  was  serious,  said 
he  would  rather  die  than  submit  to  such  injus- 
tice, and  was  conducted  by  a  guard  to  prison. 
Some  of  his  friends  went  to  the  government^ 
house  to  intercede  for  him.  Nobody  was  ad- 
mitted. His  brother  exerted  himself  to  raise 
the  Sum  required;  but  though  their  house  has 


ST.    DOMINGO.  101 

a  great  deal  of  property,  and  government  is 
indebted  to  them  more  than  a  hundred  thou^ 
sand  dollars,  it  was  difficult,  from  the  scar- 
city of  cash,  to  raise  so  large  a  sum  in  so 
short  a  time,  and  nobody  thought  there  was 
any  danger  to  be  apprehended.  At  half  after 
two  o'clock  he  was  taken  to  the  fosset,  where 
his  grave  was  already  dug.  The  captain  of 
the  guard  sent  to  know  if  there  was  no  re  = 
prieve :  and  vvas  .told  that  there  was  none.  He 
sent  again,  the  same  answer  was  returned, 
w^ith  an  order  to  perform  his  duty,  or  his  life 
would  be  the  forfeit  of  his  disobedience.  He 
was  a  Creole,  the  friend,  the  companion  of 
the  unfortunate  Feydon.  Ah !  how^  could 
he  submit  to  be  the  vile  instrument  of  tyran- 
ny ?  how  coukl  he  sacrifice  his  friend  ?  Why 
did  he  not  resign  his  commission  on  the  spot^ 
and  abide  by  the  consequence  ?  Approaching 
Feydon,  he  offered  to  bind  his  eyes  ;  but  he 
refused,  saying,  No,  let  me  witness  your  hor- 
rors to  the  last  moment.  He  was  placed  on 
the  brink  of  his  grave.  They  fired  :  he  fell ! 
but  from  the  bottom  of  his  grave  cried,  I  am 

K  2 


102  HORKOKS  01 

not  dead — iinish  me  !  My  heart  bleeds :  1 
knew  him ;  and  while  I  hve,  the  impression 
this  dreadful  event  has  made  on  me  will  never 
be  effaced.  At  the  moment  he  was  killed  his 
brother,  having  collected  the  required  sum, 
carried  it  to  the  general,  who  took  the  money, 
and  sent  the  young  man,  who  was  frantic  when 
he  heard  of  his  brother's  fate,  to  prison.  It  i^ 
said  a  reprieve  had  been  granted,  but  had  been 
suppressed  by  Nero  the  commandant  de  la 
place,  who  is  as  cruel,  and  as  much  detested 
as  was  the  tyrant  whose  name  he  bears. 

A  few  days  after,  nine  of  the  principal  mer-- 
chants  w^ere  selected.  One  hundred  thousand 
dollars  was  the  sum  demanded  from  them  ; 
and  they  were  imprisoned  till  it  should  be 
found.  It  was  then  the  virtuous  Leaumont 
approached,  fearless  of  consequences,  the  re- 
treat of  the  tyrant,  and  obliged  him  to  listen 
to  the  voice  of  truth.  He  represented  the  im- 
possibility of  finding  the  sum  demanded  from 
these  unfortunate  men,  and  entreated  to  have 
a  tax  laid  on  every  individual  of  the  place  in 
proportion  to  his  property,  whichj  after  tmch 


STe  DOMINGO. 


103 


debate  was  consented  to.  The  money  was 
soon  furnished,  and  the  prisoners  released. 

Since  the  death  of  Feydon  the  general  ap 
pears  no  more  in  public.  A  settled  gloom  per= 
vades  the  place,  and  every  one  trembles  lest  he 
should  be  the  next  victim  of  a  monster  from 
whose  power  there  is  no  retreat.  St.  Louis, 
above  all,  is  in  the  greatest  danger,  for  he  has 
the  reputation  of  being  rich,  and,  having  ex- 
cited the  aversion  of  general  Rochambeau,  it 
is  not  probable  that  he  will  escape  without 
some  proof  of  his  animosity. 

Clara  is  in  the  greatest  dejection.  Shere= 
pents  bitterly  the  levity  of  her  conduct,  and  is 
torn  with  anxiety  for  the  fate  of  her  husband. 
She  loves  him  not,  it  is  true,  but  would  be  in 
despair  if  through  her  fault  the  least  evil  befel 
him,  and  feels  for  the  first  time  the  danger  of 
awakening  the  passions  of  those  who  are  ca- 
pable of  sacrificing  all  considerations  to  gratis 
fy  their  wishes  or  revenge  their  disappoint^ 
ment.  She  requested  the  general  to  give  her 
a  passport  for  St.  Jago  de  Cuba.  He  replied 
that  he  could  only  grant  them  to  the  old  and 


104 


HGRROPvS  or 


Ugly,  and  she,  not  bfeing  of  this  description,  he 
was  obhged  to  refuse  her ;  however,  after 
much  solicitation,  she  obtained  one  for  herself 
for  me  and  her  servants,  and  we  shall  sail  in 
a  few  days.  All  the  women  are  suffered  to 
depart,  but  no  man  can  procure  a  passport. 
Some  it  is  true,  find  means  to  escape  in  dis- 
guise, and  they  are  fortunate,  for,  it  is  much 
feared  that  those  who  remain  will  be  sacrificed. 
Every  vessel  that  sails  from  hence  is  seized 
and  plundered  by  the  English  ;  but,  as  wq  are 
Americans,  perhaps  we  may  pass. 

Our  intention  is  to  stay  at  St.  Jago  till  St, 
Louis  joins  us.  God  knows  whether  we  shall 
ever  see  him  again.  With  what  joy  I  shall 
leave  this  land  of  oppression !  how  much  that 
joy  would  be  increased  if  I  was  going  to  the 
continent ;  but  in  all  places,  and  in  all  coun- 
tries I  shall  be  affectionately  yours, 


ST.    DOMINGO.  105 


LETTER  XV. 

^P^Pjl^  JBarracoa. 

You  will  no  doubt  be  surprised  al  receiv= 
ing  a  letter  from  henCe,  but  here  we  are  my 
dear  friend,  deprived  of  every  tiling  we  pos- 
sessed, in  a  strange  country,  of  whose  lan- 
guage we  are  ignorant,  and  where,  even  with 
money,  it  v»^ould  be  impossible  to  procure  what 
v/e  have  been  accustomed  to  consider  as  the 
necessaries  of  life.  Yet  here  v/e  have  found 
an  asylum,  acid  met%vith  sympathy;  not  that 
of  Vv'ords,  but  active  and  effectual  sympathy, 
from  strangers,  Vv^hich,  perhaps,  vve  should 
have  sought  in  vain  in  giur  ovvn  country,  and 
among  our  own  people.  • 

We  embarked  at  the  Cape,  Clara,  myself 
and  six  servants,  in  a  small  schooner,  w^hich 
was  full  of  women,  and  bound  to  St.  Jago. 
As  soon  as  we  wxre  out  of  the  harbour  a  boat 


106 


HORRORS  OF 


from  a  British  frigate  boarded  us^  condemned 
the  vessel  as  French  property,  and,  without 
further  ceremony,  sent  the  passengers  on  board 
another  vessel  which  was  lyi^ig  near  us,  and 
was  going  to  Barracoa,  where  we  arrived  in 
three  days,  after  having  suffered  niuch  from 
want  of  provisions  and  water.  Every  thing 
belonging  to  us  had  been  left  in  the  schooner 
the  English  made  a  prize  of.  St.  Louis,  hav- 
ing forseen  the  probability  of  this  event,  had 
made  Clara  conceal  fifty  doubloons  in  her 
corset. 

On  our  arrival  at  Barracoa,  a  Frenchman 
we  had  known  at  the  Cape  came  on  board. 
He  conducted  us  ashore,  and  procured  us  a 
room  in  a  miserable  hut,  where  we  passed  the 
night  on  a  board  laid  on  the  ground,  it  being 
impossible  to  procure  a  mattrass.  The  next 
morning  the  first  consideration  was  clothes. 
There  was  not  a  pair  of  shoes  to  be  found  in 
the  place,  nor  any  thing  which  we  would  have 
thought  of  employing  for  our  use  if  we  had 
not  been  obliged  by  the  pressure  of  necessity. 
Clara  had  given  a  corner  of  our  hut  to  a  lady 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


107 


who,  with  two  children,  was  without  a  shil- 
hng. 

While  we  were  at  breakfast,  which  we 
made  of  chocolate,  served  in  little  calabashes, 
lent  us  by  the  people  of  the  house,  a  priest  of 
most  benign  aspect  entered,  and  addressing 
Clara  in  French,  which  he  speaks  fluently,  told 
her  that  having  heard  of  our  arrival  and  mis- 
fortunes, he  had  come  to  offer  his  services, 
and  enquired  how  we  had  passed  the  night  ? 
Clara  shewed  him  the  boards  on  which  we  had 
slept.  He  rose  instantly,  and  calling  the  mis- 
tress of  the  house,  spoke  to  her  angrily*  I 
afterwards  learned  that  he  reproached  her  for 
not  having  informed  him  of  our  distress  as  soon 
as  we  arrived.  He  took  his  leave  and  returned 
in  half  an  hour  with  three  or  four  negroes  who 
brought  mattrasses,  and  baskets  filled  with 
fowls,  and  ever}^  kind  of  fruit  the  island  pro« 
duces.  Then,  telling  Clara  that  his  sister 
would  call  on  her  in  the  evening,  and  begging 
her  to  consider  him  as  her  servant,  and  every 
thing  he  possessed  at  her  disposal,  he  went 
away.  In  the  afternoon  he  returned  with  his 
sister.  She  is  a  widow.  Her  manners  are  in-r 


108 


HORRORS  01 


teresting,  but  she  speaks  no  language  except 
her  o^vn,  of  which  not  one  of  us  understood  a 
word. 

Father  Philip  sent  for  the  only  shopkeeper 
in  the  place,  who  furnished  us  with  black  silk 
for  dresses,  and  some  miserable  linen.  By 
the  next  day  we  were  decently  equipped.  We 
were  then  presented  to  the  governor,  whose 
wife  is  divinely  beautiful.  Nothing  can  equal 
the  lustre  of  her  eyes,  or  surpass  the  fascinat- 
ing power  of  her  graceful  and  enchanting  man- 
ners. The  changes  of  her  charming  counte- 
nance express  every  emotion  of  her  soul,  and 
she  seems  not  to  requh  e  the  aid  of  words  to 
be  understood.  She  conceived  at  once  a  fer- 
vent friendship  for  Clara,  and  having  learned 
our  misfortunes  from  father  PhiUp,  insisted  on 
our  living  in  her  house  whilst  we  remained  at 
Barracoa.  This  point  was  disputed  by  Don- 
na Angelica,  who  said  she  had  provided  a 
chamber  for  us  in  her  own.  But  madame  la 
Governadora  was  not  to  be  thwarted ;  she 
seized  Clara  by  the  arm,  and  dravt^ing  her 
playfully  into  another  room,  insisted  on  dress- 
ing her  a  la  Espagnole^  which  is  nothing  more 


ST.    DOMINGO,  109 

than  a  cambric  chemise^  cut  very  low  in  the 
bosom,  an  under  petticoat  of  Hnen,  made  very 
stiff  widi  starch,  and  a  musHn  one  over  it,  both 
very  short.  To  this  is  added,  when  they  go 
out,  a  large  black  silk  veil,  which  covers  the 
head  and  falls  below  the  waist.  By  this  dress 
the  beauty  of  the  bosom,  which  is  so  carefully 
presented  by  the  French  is  lost. 

Clara  looked  very  well  in  this  costume, 
but  felt  uncomfortable.  As  Donna  Jacinta 
v/ould  not  hear  of  our  leaving  her  we  consent- 
ed to  stay ;  and  a  chamber  w^as  prepared  for 
us.  In  the  evening  we  walked  through  the 
town,  and  were  surprised  to  see  such  extreme 
want  in  this  abode  of  hospitality.  The  houses 
ai'e  built  of  tvv^igs,  interwoven  like  basket 
work,  and  slightly  thatched  with  the  leaves  of 
the  palm  tree,  with  no  other  floor  than  the 
earth.  The  inhabitants  sit  on  the  ground,  and 
eat  altogether  out  of  the  pot  in  which  their 
food  is  prepared.  Their  bed  is  formed  of  a 
dried  hide,  and  they  have  no  clothes  but  what 
they  ^vear,  nor  ever  think  of  procuring  any  till 
these  are  in  rags. 

L 


110 


HORRORSi  OF 


There  are  only  three  decent  houses  in  the 
place,  which  belong  to  the  governor,  to  father 
Philip,  and  his  sister  ;  yet  these  good  people 
are  happy,  for  they  are  contented.  Their 
poverty  is  not  rendered  hideous  by  the  con- 
trast of  insolent  pride  or  unfeeling  luxury. 
They  dose  away  their  lives  in  a  peaceful  ob- 
scurity, which  if  I  do  not  envy,  I  cannot  des- 
pise. There  are  many  French  families  here 
from  St.  Domingo;  some  almost  without  re- 
source; and  this  place  offers  none  for  talents 
of  any  kind.  It  is  not  uncommon  to  hear  the 
sound  of  a  harp  or  piano  from  beneath  a  straw 
built  shed,  or  to  be  arrested  by  a  celestial 
voice  issuing  from  a  hut  which  would  be  sup- 
posed uninhabitable. 

Clara  studies  with  so  much  application  the 
Spanish  language  that  she  can  already  hold 
with  tolerable  ease  a  conversation,  especially 
with  the  seignora  Jacinta,  whose  eyes  are  so 
eloquent  that  it  would  be  impossible  not  to  un- 
derstand  her.  She  is  a  native  of  the  Havanna, 
was  married  very  young,  and  her  husband 
having  been  appointed  governor  of  Barracoa^ 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


Ill 


was  obliged  to  leave  the  gaiety  and  splendour 
of  her  native  place  for  this  deserted  spot, 
where  fashion,  taste  or  elegance  had  never 
been  kno^7v^l.  It  has  been  a  little  enlivened 
since  the  misfortunes  of  the  French  have 
forced  them  to  seek  in  it  a  retreat. 

Jacinta  has  too  much  sensibility  not  to  re- 
gret the  change  of  situation ;  but  she  never  re= 
pines,  and  seeks  to  diffuse  around  her  the 
cheerfulness  by  which  she  is  animated.  From 
early  prejudice  she  loves  not  the  French  cha- 
racter. Fortunately  Clara  is  an  American; 
and  the  influence  of  her  enchanting  qualities 
on  the  heart  of  her  fair  friend  is  strengthened 
by  the  charm  of  novelty. 

We  are  waiting  for  a  vessel  to  carry  us  to 
St.  Jago,  and  its  arrival,  I  assure  you  will  fill 
us  with  regret. 


113 


LETTER  XVL 


St,  Jago  de  Cuba, 

We  have  left  Barracoa,  the  good  Father 
Philip,  his  generous  sister,  aiid  the  beautiful 
Jacinta.  Removed  from  them  for  ever,  the 
recollection  of  their  goodness  will  accompany 
me  through  life,  and  a  sigh  for  the  peaceful 
solitude  of  their  retreat  will  often  heave  mv 
breast  amid  the  mingled  scenes  of  pleasure 
and  vexation  in  which  I  shall  be  again  enga- 
ged. Fortunate  people !  who,  instead  of  ram^= 
bling  about  the  world,  end  their  lives  beneath 
the  roofs  where  they  hrst  drew  breath.  For- 
tunate in  knowing  nothing  beyond  their  hori- 
zon ;  for  whom  even  the  next  town  is  a  strange 
country,  and  vrho  find  their  happiness  in  con- 
tributing to  that  of  those  who  surround  them ! 
The  wife  of  the  governor  could  not  separate 
herself  from  us.    Taking  from  her  neck  a  ro^ 

■  .  2 


114 


HORRORS  OF 


sary  of  pearls,  she  put  it  round  that  of  Clara, 
pressed  her  in  her  arms,  wept  on  her  bosom, 
and  said  she  never  passed  a  moment  so  pain- 
ful.   She  is  young,  her  soul  is  all  tenderness 
and  ardour,  and  Clara  has  filled  her  breast 
with  feelings  to  which  till  now  she  has  been  a 
stranger.    Her  husband  is  a  good  man,  but 
without  energy  or  vivacity,  the  direct  reverse 
of  his  charming  wife.    She  can  never  have 
awakened  an  attachment  more  lively  than  the 
calmest  friendship.    She  has  no  children,  nor 
any  being  around  her,  whose  soul  Is  in  unison 
with  her  own.    With  what  devotion  she  would 
love  1  but  if  a  stranger  to  the  exquisite  plea- 
sures of  that  sentiment  she  is  also  ignorant  of 
its  pains !  may  no  destructive  passion  ever 
trouble  her  repose. 

She  walked  with  us  to  the  shore  and  waited 
on  the  beach  till  we  embarked »  She  shrieked 
with  agony  when  she  clasped  Clara  for  the  last 
time  to  her  breast,  and  leaning  against  a  tree, 
gave  unrestrained  course  to  her  tears. 

The  good  father  Philip  accompanied  us 
to  the  vessel,  and  staid  till  the  moment  of  our 
departure.    He  bad  previously  sent  aboard 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


115 


every  thing  that  he  thought  would  be  agreea- 
ble to  us  durmg  the  voyage.  His  friendly 
soul  poured  itself  forth  in  wishes  for  our  hap- 
piness.  ]May  all  the  blessings  of  heaven  be 
showered  on  his  head  1 

It  is  Clai*a's  fate  to  inspire  great  passions. 
Nobody  loves  her  moderately.  As  soon  as 
she  is  kno^ra  she  seizes  on  the  soul,  and  cen- 
times ever}'  desire  in  that  of  pleasing  her.  Tht 
friendship  she  felt  for  Jacinta.  and  the  impres- 
sion father  Philip's  goodness  made  on  her. 
rendered  her  insensible  to  all  around  her. 

The  vessel  was  full  of  passengers,  most 
of  them  ladies,  who  were  astonished  at  behold- 
ing such  grief.  One  of  them,  a  native  of  Je- 
remie,  was  the  first  vrho  attracted  the  attention 
of  Clara.  This  lady,  who  is  very  handsome, 
and  very  young,  has  three  children  of  the  great- 
est beauty,  for  whom  she  has  the  most  impas- 
sioned fondness,  and  seems  to  view  in  them 
her  own  protracted  existence.  She  has  all  the 
bloom  of  youth,  and  when  surrounded  by  her 
children,  no  picture  of  ^^enus  with  the  loves 
and  graces  was  ever  half  so  interesting.  She 
'is  going  to  join  her  husband  at  St.  Jago,  Vv'ho 


116 


HORRORS  OF 


I  hear,  is  a  great  libertine,  and  not  sensible  of 
her  worth.  An  air  of  sadness  dwells  on  her 
lovely  countenance,  occasioned,  no  doubt,  by 
his  neglect  and  the  pain  of  finding  a  rival  in 
every  woman  he  meets. 

There  is  also  on  board  a  beautiful  widow 
whose  husband  was  killed  by  the  negroes,  and 
who,  without  fortune  or  protection,  is  going 
to  seek  at  St.  Jago  a  subsistence,  by  employ- 
ing her  talents.  There  is  something  incon- 
ceivably interesting  in  these  ladies.  Young, 
beautiful,  and  destitute  of  all  resource,  sup- 
porting with  cheerfulness  their  v/ayward  for  - 
tune. 

But  the  most  captivating  trait  in  their 
character  is  their  fondness  for  their  children  ! 
The  Creole  ladies,  m.arrying  very  young,  ap- 
pear more  like  the  sisters  than  the  mothers  of 
their  daughters.  Unfortunately  they  grow  up 
too  soon,  and  not  unfrequently  become  the 
rivals  of  their  mothers. 

We  are  still  on  board,  at  the  entrance  of 
the  harbour  of  St.  Jago,  which  is  guarded  by 
a  fort,  the  most  picturesque  object  I  ever  saw* 
It  is  built  on  a  rock  that  hangs  over  the  sea. 


ST.  DGMINGOe 


117 


and  the  palm  trees  which  wave  their  lofty, 
heads  over  its  ramparts,  add  to  its  beauty. 

We  are  obliged  to  wait  here  till  to-mor- 
row ;  for  this  day  being  the  festival  of  a  saint, 
all  the  offices  are  shut.  No  business  is  trans- 
acted, and  no  vessel  can  approach  the  town 
without  permission. 

This  delay  is  painful ;  I  am  on  the  wing 
to  leave  the  vessel,  though  it  is  only  four  days 
since  we  left  Barracoa. — I  wish  to  know  whe- 
ther we  shall  meet  as  much  hospitality  here  as 
in  that  solitary  place.  Yet  why  should  I  ex= 
pect  it  ?  Hearts  like  those  of  father  Philip 
and  the  lovely  Jacinta  do  not  abound.— How 
many  are  there  ^^o,  never  having  witnessed 
such  goodness,  doubt  its  existence  ? 

We  have  letters  to  several  families  here, 
from  the  governor  of  Barracoa  and  father  Phi= 
lip,  and  St.  Louis  has  friends  who  have  been 
long  established  at  this  place.  Therefore,  on 
arriving,  we  shall  feel  at  home  ;  perhaps  too, 
we  may  find  letters  from  the  Cape  ; — God 
gi'ant  they  may  contain  satisfactory  intelli- 
gence. 


119 


LETTER  XVIL 


St.  Jago  de  Cuba. 

A  month  has  passed,  since  our  arrival  in 
this  place,  in  such  a  round  of  visits  and  such 
a  variety  of  amusements,  that  I  am  afraid,  my 
dear  friend,  you  will  think  I  have  forgotten 
you.  We  were  received  by  the  gentleman, 
to  whom  Clara  was  directed,  with  the  most 
cordial  friendship.  He  is  an  ancient  Cheva» 
lier  de  St.  Louis,  and  retains,  with  much  of 
the  formality  of  the  court  of  France,  at  which 
he  was  raised,  all  its  elegance  and  urbanity ; 
and  having  lived  a  number  of  years  in  this 
island,  he  is  loved  and  respected  by  all  its  in= 
habitantss. 

The  letters  which  father  Philip  and  the 
governor  of  Barracoa  gave  us  to  their  friends, 
have  procured  us  great  attention. 

The  people  here  are  much  the  same  as  at 


120 


HORRORS  OF 


Barracoa ;  perhaps  they  are  a  little  more  civi- 
lized. There  is  some  wealth,  with  much  po- 
verty. The  women  have  made  great  progress 
towards  improvement  since  such  numbers  of 
French  have  arrived  from  St.  Domingo. — ^ 
They  are  at  least  a  century  before  the  men  in 
refinement,  but  women  are  every  where  more 
susceptible  of  polish  than  the  lords  of  the  cre- 
ation. Those  of  this  town  are  not  generally 
remarkable  for  their  beauty.  There  are  some, 
however,  who  would  be  admired  even  in  Phi- 
ladelphia, particularly  the  wife  of  the  governor; 
but  they  are  all  remarkable  for  the  smallness 
of  their  feet,  and  thev  dress  their  hair  with  a 
degree  of  taste  in  which  they  could  not  be  ex- 
celled by  the  ladies  of  Paris. 

We  arrived  in  the  season  of  gaiety,  and 
have  been  at  several  balls ;  but  their  balls 
please  me  not ! — Every  body  in  the  room  dan- 
ces a  minuet,  which  you  may  suppose  is  tedi- 
ous enough  ;  then  follow  the  country  dances, 
which  resemble  the  English,  except  that  they 
are  more  complicated  and  more  fatiguing. 

There  are  in  this  town  eleven  churches, 
all  of  them  splendid,  and  the  number  of  priests 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


121 


is  incredible  !  Many  of  them  may  be  ranked 
among  the  most  worthless  members  of  the 
community.  It  is  not  at  all  uncommon  to  see 
them  drunk  in  the  street,  or  to  hear  of  their 
having  committed  the  most  shocking  excess- 
es. Some,  however,  are  excellent  men,  who 
do  honour  to  their  order  and  to  human  nature. 
But  the  thickest  veil  of  superstition  covers  the 
land,  and  it  is  rendered  more  impervious  by 
the  clouds  of  ignorance  in  which  the  people 
are  enveloped  1 

Clara,  who  speaks  the  language  with  the 
facility  of  a  native,  asked  some  of  her  Spanish 
friends  for  books,  but  there  was  not  one  to  be 
found  in  the  place.  She  complained  some 
days  ago  of  a  head- ache,  and  a  Spanish  lady 
gave  her  a  ribbon,  which  had  been  bound 
round  the  head  of  an  image  of  the  Virgin,  telL 
ing  her  it  was  a  sovereign  remedy  for  all  pains 
of  the  head. 

The  bishop  is  a  very  young  man  and  very 
handsome.  We  see  him  often  at  church, 
where  we  go,  attracted  by  the  music.  But 
one  abominable  custom  observed  there,  de^ 
stroys  our  pleasure.    The  women  kneel  on 

M 


122 


IIORRORS  OF 


carpets,  spread  on  the  ground,  and  when  they 
are  fatigued,  cross  then-  legs,  and  sit  Turkish 
fashion  ;  whilst  the  men  loll  at  their  ease  on 
sofas.  From  whence  this  subversion  of  the 
general  order  ?  Why  are  the  women  placed 
in  the  churches  at  the  feet  of  their  slaves  ? 

The  lower  classes  of  the  people  are  the 
greatest  thieves  in  the  world,  and  they  steal 
%vith  so  much  dexterity,  that  it  is  quite  a  sci- 
ence. The  windows  are  not  glazed,  but  se- 
cured by  wooden  bars,  placed  very  close  to- 
gether. The  Spaniards  introduce  between 
these  bars  long  poles,  which  have  at  one  end 
a  hook  of  iron,  and  thus  steal  every  thing  in 
the  room,  even  the  sheets  off  the  beds.  The 
friars  excel  in  this  practice,  and  conceal  their 
booty  in  their  large  sleeves  ! 

In  the  best  houses  and  most  wealthy  fa- 
milies there  is  a  contrast  of  splendour  and  po- 
verty which  is  shocking.  Their  beds  and  fur- 
niture are  covered  with  a  profusion  of  gilding 
and  clumsy  ornaments,  while  the  slaves,  who 
serve  in  the  family,  and  even  those  who  are 
about  the  persons  of  the  ladies,  are  in  rags  and 
filthy  to  the  most  disgusting  degree  ! 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


123 


How  different  were  the  customs  of  St.  Do^ 
mingo !  The  slaves,  who  served  in  the  houses, 
were  dressed  with  the  most  scrupulous  neat- 
ness, and  nothing  ever  met  the  eye  that  could 
occasion  an  unpleasant  idea. 

The  Spanish  women  are  sprightly,  and 
devoted  to  intrigue.  Their  assignations  are 
usually  made  at  church.  The  processions  at 
night,  and  the  masses  celebrated  before  day- 
light, are  very  favourable  to  the  completion  of 
their  w^ishes,  to  which  also  their  dress  is  well 
adapted.  They  wear  a  black  silk  petticoat ; 
their  head  is  covered  with  a  veil  of  the  same 
colour,  that  falls  below  the  waist ;  and,  this 
costume  being  universal,  and  never  changed, 
it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  one  woman  from 
another.  A  man  may  pass  his  own  wdfe  in 
the  street  without  knowing  her.  Their  attach- 
ments are  merely  sensual.  They  are  equally 
strangers  to  the  delicacy  of  affection  or  that 
refinement  of  passion  which  can  make  any  sa^ 
orifice  the  happiness  of  its  object  may  require. 

To  the  licentiousness  of  the  people,  more 
than  to  their  extreme  poverty,  may  be  attri-^ 
buted  the  number  of  children  which  are  con- 


124 


HORRORS  0F 


timially  exposed  to  perish  in  the  street.  Ah 
most  every  morning,  at  the  door  of  one  of  the 
churches,  and  often  at  more  than  one,  a  new- 
born infant  is  found.  There  is  an  hospital, 
where  they  are  received,  but  those  who  find 
them,  are  (if  so  disposed,)  at  Hberty  to  keep 
them.  The  unfortunate  httle  beings  who  hap- 
pen to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  lower  classes 
of  the  people,  increase,  during  their  childhood, 
the  throng  of  beggars,  and  augment,  as  they 
grow  up,  the  number  of  thieves. 

The  heart  recoils  at  the  barbarity  of  a 
mother  who  can  thus  abandon  her  child ;  but 
the  custom,  here,  as  in  China,  is  sanctioned  by 
habit,  and  excites  no  horror  ! 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


125 


LETTER  XVIIL 


St.  Jago  de  Cuba, 

We  have  received  no  news  from  the  Cape, 
my  dear  friend,  but  it  is  generally  expected 
that  it  will  be  evacuated,  as  several  parts  of 
the  island  have  been  already. 

This  place  is  full  of  the  inhabitants  of  that 
unfortunate  country,  and  the  story  of  every 
family  would  offer  an  interesting  and  pathetic 
subject  to  the  pen  of  the  novelist. 

All  have  been  enveloped  in  the  same  ter- 
rible  fate,  but  vv^ith  different  circumstances ; 
all  have  suffered,  but  the  sufferings  of  each 
individual  derive  their  hue  from  the  disposi- 
tion of  his  mind. 

One  catastrophe,  which  I  witnessed,  is 
dreadfully  impressive  !  I  saw  youth,  beauty 
and  affection  sink  to  an  untimely  grave,  with- 

M  2  ^ 


126 


HORRORS-  OF 


out  having  the  power  of  softening  the  bitter- 
ness of  their  fate. 

Madame  C  a  native  of  Jeremie,  had 

been  sent  by  her  husband  to  Philadelphia,  at 
the  beginning  of  the  revolution,  where  she 
continued  several  years,  devoting  all  her  time 
to  improving  the  mind  and  cultivating  the  ta- 
lents of  her  only  child,  the  beautiful  Clarissa. 

Sometime  after  the  arrival  of  the  French 
fleet,  Madame  C  ,  and  her  daughter  re- 
turned to  Jeremie.  She  had  still  all  the  charms 
of  beauty,  ail  the  bloom  of  youth.  She  was 
received  by  her  husband  with  a  want  of  ten- 
derness which  chilled  her  heart,  and  she  soon 
learned  that  he  was  attached  to  a  woman  of 
colour  oi\  whom  he  lavished  all  his  property. 
This,  you  may  suppose,  was  a  source  of  mor- 
tification to  Madame   but  she  suffer- 
ed in  silence,  and  sought  consolation  in  the 
bosom  of  her  daughter. 

When  the  troubles  of  Jeremie  encreased, 
and  it  was  expected  every  day  that  it  would 

be  evacuated.  Monsieur  C—        resolved  to 

remove  to  St.  Jago  de  Cuba.  He  sent  his  wife 
and  child  in  one  vessel  5  and  embarked  with 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


127 


liis  mistress  in  another.  Arri\-ing  nearly  at  the 
same  time,  he  took  a  house  in  the  country,  to 
which  he  retired  with  his  superannuated  fa-^^ 
vourite,  leaving  his  family  in  town,  and  in 
such  distress  that  they  were  often  in  want  of 
bread. 

Madame  C  ,  too  delicate  to  expose' 

the  conduct  of  her  husband,  or  to  complain, 
concealed  from  her  friends  her  wants  and  her 
grief. 

A  young  Frenchman  was  deeply  in  love 
with  her  daughter,  but  his  fortune  had  been 
lost  in  the  general  wreck,  and  he  had  nothing 
to  offer  to  the  object  of  his  adoration  except  a 
heart  glowing  with  tenderness.  He  made  ]Ma= 

dame  C  the  confidant  of  his  affection.  She 

was  sensible  of  his  worth,  and  would  willingly 
have  made  him  the  protector  of  her  daughter, 
had  she  not  been  struggling  herself  with  all 
the  horrors  of  poverty  and  therefore  thought 
it  wrong  to  encourage  his  passion. 

He  addressed  himself  to  her  father,  and 
this  father  was  rich !  He  lavished  on  his  mis= 
tress  all  the  comforts  and  elegancies  of  life, 
yet  refused  to  his  family  the  scantiest  pittance ! 


128 


HORRORS  OF 


He  replied  to  the  proposal  that  his  daughter 
might  marry,  but  that  it  was  impossible  for 
him  to  give  her  a  shilling. 

Clarissa  heard  the  unfeeling  sentence  with 
calm  despair.  She  had  just  reached  the  age 
in  which  the  affections  of  the  heart  develope 
themselves.  The  beauty  of  her  form  was  un- 
equalled, and  innocence,  candour,  modesty, 
generosity,  and  heroism,  were  expressed  with 
ineifable  grace  in  every  attitude  and  every  fea- 
ture. Clarissa  was  adored.  Her  lover  was 
idolatrous.  The  woods,  the  dawning  day, 
the  starry  herivens,  witnessed  their  mutual 
vows.  The  grass  pressed  by  her  feet,  the  air 
she  respired,  the  shade  in  which  she  reposed, 
were  consecrated  by  her  presence. 

Her  mother  marked,  with  pity,  the  pro- 
gress of  their  mutual  passion,  which  she  could 
not  forbid,  for  her  own  heart  was  formed  for 
tenderness,  nor  could  she  sanction  it,  seeing 
no  probability  of  its  being  crowned  with  suc- 
cess. But  the  happiness  of  her  daughter  was 
her  only  wish,  and  moved  by  her  tears,  her 
sighs,  and  the  ardent  prayers  of  her  lover,  she 
at  length  consented  to  their  union.  They  were 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


129 


maiTied  and  they  were  happy.  But  alas !  a  few 
days  after  their  marriage  a  fever  seized  Cla- 
rissa. The  distracted  husband  fiew  to  her  fa- 
ther who  refused  to  send  her  the  least  assist- 
ance. She  languished,  and  her  mother  and 
her  husband  hung  over  her  in  ail  the  bitterness 
of  anguish.  The  impossibility  of  paying  a 
physician  prevented  their  calling  one,  till  it 
was  too  late,  and,  ten  days  after  she  had  be- 
come a  wife,  she  expired.  I  have  held  this 
disconsolate  mother  to  my  breast,  my  tears 
have  mingled  with  hers :  all  the  ties  that  bound 
her  to  the  world  are  severed,  and  she  wishes 
only  for  the  moment  that  will  put  a  period  to 
her  existence,  when  she  fondly  hopes  she  may 
be  again  united  to  her  daughter.  To  the  hus- 
band I  have  never  uttered  a  word.  His  sorrow 
is  deep  and  gloomy.  He  avoids  all  conversa- 
tion, and  an  attempt  to  console  him  would  be 
an  insult  on  the  sacredness  of  his  grief.  He 
has  tasted  celestial  joys.  He  has  lost  the  ob- 
ject of  his  love,  and  henceforth  the  earth  is  for 
him  a  desert. 

For  the  brutal  father  there  is  no  punish- 
ment.   His  conscience  itself  inflicts  none,  for 


130 


HORRORS  OF 


he  expressed  not  the  least  regret  when  inform^ 
ed  of  the  fate  of  his  daughter. 

But  when  the  story  became  known,  the 
detestation  his  conduct  excited  was  so  violent, 
that  the  friends  of  Madame  C  have  caus- 
ed her  to  be  separated  from  him,  and  obliged 
him  to  allow  her  a  separate  maintenance.  Un» 
fortunately  their  interest  has  been  exerted  too 
late.  A  few  weeks  sooner  it  might  have  saved 
her  daughter. 

How  terrible  is  the  fate  of  a  woman  thus 
dependent  on  a  man  who  has  lost  all  sense  of 
justice,  reason,  or  humanity;  who,  regardless 
of  his  duties,  or  the  respect  he  owes  society, 
leaves  his  wife  to  contend  with  all  the  pains  of 
want,  and  sees  his  child  sink  to  an  untimely 
grave,  without  stretching  forth  a  hand  to  assist- 
the  one  or  sa^-e  the  other ! 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


131 


LETTER  XIX. 


St.  Jago  de  Cuba. 

I  write  continually,  my  dear  friend,  though 
the  fate  of  my  letters  is  very  uncertain.  If 
they  arrive  safe  they  will  prove  that  I  have 
not  forgotten  you,  and  that  I  suffer  no  oppor- 
tunity to  pass  without  informing  you  that  I 
exist. 

I  understand  that,  after  our  departure  from 
the  Cape,  the  tyranny  of  the  general  in  chief 
encreased,  and  that  the  inhabitants  were  daily 
exposed  to  new  vexations.  St.  Louis,  in  par- 
ticular, was  the  distinguished  object  of  his 
hatred.  Eternally  on  guard  at  the  most  dan- 
gerous posts,  it  was  finally  whispered  that 
something,  more  decidedly  bad,  was  intended 
him,  and  he  thought  it  was  time  to  try  to 
escape  from  the  threatening  danger.  Being 
informed  of  a  vessel,  that  was  on  the  point  of 


132 


HORRORS  OF 


sailing,  he  prevailed  on  a  fisherman  to  put 
him  outside  of  the  fort  in  his  boat,  and  wait 
till  it  came  out,  the  captain  not  daring  to  take 
him  on  board  in  the  harbour.  On  the  day 
appointed,  St,  Louis,  disguised  as  a  fisherman, 
went  into  the  boat,  and,  working  at  the  oar, 
they  were  soon  beyond  the  fort.  The  vessel 
approached  shortly  after,  and  St.  Louis,  em- 
barking, thought  himself  out  of  danger.  As 
soon  as  they  were  in  reach  of  the  English  ships 
they  were  boarded,  plundered  and  sent  to 
Barracoa 

St.  Louis  had  no  trunk,  nor  any  clothes  but 
what  were  on  him,  in  which  however  was  con- 
cealed  gold  to  a  great  amount. 

A  gentleman,  who  left  the  Cape  the  day 
after  him,  informed  us  of  his  escape,  and  of  his 
having  been  sent  to  Barracoa,  and  also  that,  as 
soon  as  the  general  had  beard  of  his  departure, 
he  had  sent  three  barges  after  the  vessel  with 
orders  to  seize  him,  take  him  back,  and,  as 
soon  as  he  was  landed,  shoot  him  without 
further  ceremony. 

The  whole  town  was  in  the  greatest  con- 
sternation. The  barges  were  well  manned  and 


ST.  BOMINGO. 


133 


gained  on  the  vessel,  but  a  light  wind  spring- 
ing up  put  it  soon  beyond  their  reach,  and  it 
was  even  believed  that  the  officer,  who  com- 
manded the  barges,  did  not  use  all  possible 
diligence  to  overtake  them. 

We  were  rejoiced  to  hear  of  the  fortunate 
escape  of  St.  Louis  but  felt  some  anxiety  at 
his  not  aiTiving,  when  lo  !  he  appeared  and 
gave  us  himself  an  account  of  his  adventures. 

He  is  in  raptures  with  the  governor  of  Bar- 
racoa,  his  charming  wife  and  the  good  father 
Philip,  who,  hearing  that  he  was  the  husband 
of  Clara,  shewed  him  the  most  friendly  atten- 
tion. He  brought  us  from  them  letters  glow« 
ing  with  affectionate  recollection. 

He  talks  of  buying  a  plantation  and  of 
settling  here.  If  he  does  I  shall  endeavour  to 
return  to  the  continent,  but  poor  Clara !  she 
Weeps  when  I  speak  of  leaving  her,  and  when 
I  consider  the  loneliness  to  which  she  will  be 
condemned  without  me,  I  have  almost  heroism 
enough  to  sacrifice  my  happiness  to  her  com- 
fort. 

Before  the  aif  ival  of  St.  Louis  we  lived  in 
•the  house  of  the  gentleman  to  whose  care  he 

3Sr 


134  HORRORS  OF 

had  recommended  us.  He  is  a  widower,  the 
most  cheerful  creature  in  the  world,  but  he 
lives  in  the  times  that  are  past ;  all  his  stories 
are  at  least  forty  years  old.  -  He  talks  continu- 
ally of  the  mystification  of  Beaumarchais,  and 
of  the  magic  of  Cagliostro.  He  told  me,  with 
all  the  solemnity  of  truth,  that  a  lady  at  the 
court  of  France,  who  was  past  fifty,  bought 
from  Cagliostro,  at  a  great  price,  a  liquid,  a 
single  drop  of  which  would  take  off,  in  appear 
ance,  ten  years  of  age.  The  lady  swallowed 
two  drops,  and  went  to  the  opera  with  her 
charms  renewed,  and  her  bloom  restored  to 
the  freshness  of  thirty. — At  her  return  she 
called  her  waiting  woman,  who  had  been  her 
nurse  and  was  at  least  seventy.  She  was  no- 
p/here to  be  found,  but  a  little  girl  came  skip- 
'  ping  in.  The  lady,  enquiring  who  she  was, 
learned  that  old  Ursula,  intending  to  try  the 
effect  of  the  drops,  had  taken  too  large  a  dose, 
and  was  skipping  about  with  all  the  sprightli- 
ness  of  fifteen. 

Nothing  enrages  the  old  gentleman  so 
much  as  to  doubt  the  truth  of  what  he  relates., 
or  even  to  question  its  probability.  He  assur^ 


ST.  DOMIN'GQ. 


135 


ed  me  that  he  knew  the  lady,  and  that  he  wit- 
nessed the  effect  of  the  drops  on  herself  and 
the  chambermaid.  As  I  can  discover  no  pur^ 
pose  the  invention  of  such  a  tale  would  an- 
swer, I  listen  without  reply,  and  almost  suffer 
myself  to  be  persuaded  of  its  reality. 

Nothing  can  equal  the  unpleasantness  of 
this  town  :  it  is  built  on  the  declivity  of  a  hill ; 
the  sti'eets  are  not  paved ;  and  the  soil,  being 
of  white  clay,  the  reflection  is  intolerable,  and 
the  heat  insupportable.  The  water  is  brought 
on  mules,  from  a  river  three  miles  off,  and  is 
a  very  expensive  article.  The  women  never 
walk,  except  to  church,  but  every  evening 
they  take  the  air  in  an  open  cabriolet,  drawn 
by  mules,  in  which  they  exhibit  their  finery, 
and,  not  unfrequently,  regale  themselves  with 
a  segar. 

Every  body  smokes,  at  all  times,  and  in 
all  places;  and  from  this  villanous  custom  ari- 
ses perhaps,  the  badness  of  their  teeth,  which 
is  universal. 

The  American  consul,  who  has  lived  here 
many  years,  says  that  the  people  are  much 
improved  since  he  resided  among  them.  At 


136  HORRORS  oy 

his  arrival  there  was  not  a  gown  in  the  place. 
They  are  now  generally  worn. 

This  old  consul  is  the  greatest  beau  in  the 
place.  He  gives  agreeable  parties,  and  makes 
love  to  every  body,  but  I  believe  with  little 
success.  His  very  appearance  would  put  all 
the  loves  to  flights 


3T.  DOMINGO. 


137 


LETTER  XX, 


St.  Jago  de  Cuba. 

The  French  emigrants  begin  to  seek  in 
their  talents  some  resource  from  the  frightful 
poverty  to  which  they  are  reduced,  but  meet 
with  very  little  encouragement.  The  people 
here  are  generally  poor,  and  unaccustomed  to 
expensive  pleasures.  A  company  of  come- 
dians are  building  a  theatre;  and  some  sub- 
scription balls  ha\'e  been  given,  at  which  the 
Spanish  ladies  were  quite  eclipsed  by  the 
French  belles,  notwithstanding  their  losses. 

Madame  D  ,  of  Jeremie,  who  plays 

and  sings  divinely,  gave  a  concert,  which  was 
very  brilliant. 

The  French  women  are  certainly  charm- 
ing creatures  in  society.  The  cheerfulness 
with  vv^hich  thev  bear  misfortune,  and  the  in^ 
dustry  they  employ  to  procure  themselves  a 

.    N  2 


138 


HORRORS  OF 


subsistence,  cannot  be  sufficiently  admired.  I 
know  ladies  who  from  their  infancy  were  sur . 
rounded  by  slaves,  anticipating  their  slightest 
wishes,  now  working  from  the  dawn  of  day 
till  midnight  to  support  themselves  and  their 
families.  Nor  do  they  even  complain,  nor 
vaunt  their  industry,  nor  think  it  surprising 
that  they  possess  it.  Their  neatness  is  wor» 
thy  of  admiration,  and  their  taste  gives  to  their 
attire  an  air  of  fashion  which  the  expensive, 
but  ill- chosen,  ornaments  of  the  Spanish  la- 
dies cannot  attain.  With  one  young  lady  I 
am  particularly  acquainted  whose  goodness 
cannot  be  sufficiently  admired.  Ah!  Eliza, 
how  shall  I  describe  thy  sweetness,  thy  fide- 
lity, thy  devotion  to  a  suffering  friend.  Why 
am  I  not  rich  that  I  could  place  thee  in  a  situ- 
ation where  thy  virtues  might  be  known,  thy 
talents  honoured.  Alas!  I  never  so  deeply  re- 
gret my  own  want  of  power  as  when  reflect- 
ing that  I  am  unable  to  be  useful  to  you. 

This  amiable  girl  was  left  by  her  parents, 
who  went  to  Charleston  at  the  beginning  of 
the  revolution,  to  the  care  of  an  aunt,  who  was 
y  very  rich,  and  without  children.    At  the  eva- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


139 


cuation  of  Port-au-Prince,  that  lady  embark- 
ed for  this  place.  Her  husband  died  on  the 
passage ;  and  they  were  robbed  of  every  thing 
they  possessed  by  an  English  privateer.  The 
father  of  Eliza  wrote  for  them  to  join  him  in 

Carolina;  but  the  ill  health  of  madame  L  

would  not  suffer  her  to  undertake  the  voyage, 
and  Eliza  will  not  hear  of  leaving  her,  but 
v/orks  day  and  night  to  procure  for  her  aunt 
the  comforts  her  situation  requires.  She  is 
young,  beautiful  and  accomplished.  She 
wastes  her  bloom  over  the  midnight  lamp, 
and  sacrifices  her  health  and  her  rest  to  soothe 
the  sufferings  of  her  infirm  relation.  Her  pa- 
tience and  mildness  are  angelic.  Where  will 
such  virtues  meet  their  reward?  Certainly  not 
in  this  country ;  and  she  is  held  here  by  the 
ties  of  gratitude  and  affection  which,  to  a  heart 
like  hers,  are  indissoluble. 

In  the  misfortunes  of  my  French  friends, 
I  see  clearly  exemplified  the  advantages  of  a 
good  education.  Every  talent,  even  if  pos- 
sessed in  a  slight  degree  of  perfection,  may  be 
a  resource  in  a  reverse  of  fortune;  and,  though 
I  liked  not  entirely  their  manner,  whilst  sur- 


140 


HORRORS  OF 


rounded  by  the  festivity  and  splendour  of  the 
Cape,  I  now  confess  that  they  excite  my  warm- 
est admiration.  They  bear  adversity  with 
cheerfuhiess,  and  resist  it  with  fortitude.  In 
the  same  circumstances  I  fear  I  should  be  in- 
ferior to  them  in  both.  But  in  this  country, 
slowly  emerging  from  a  state  of  barbarism, 
what  encouragment  can  be  found  for  industry 
or  talents  ?  The  right  of  commerce  was  pur-^ 
chased  by  the  Catalonians,  who  alone  exercise 
it,  and  agriculture  is  destroyed  in  consequence 
of  the  restraints  imposed  on  it  by  the  govern- 
ment. The  people  are  poor,  and  therefore 
cannot  possess  talents  whose  acquisition  is  be- 
yond their  reach ;  but  they  are  temperate, 
even  to  a  proverb,  and  so  hospitable  that  the 
poorest  among  them  always  find  something  to 
offer  to  a  stranger.  At  the  same  time  they  are 
said  to  be  false,  treacherous,  and  revengeful, 
to  the  highest  degree.  Certainly  there  are 
here  no  traces  of  that  magnanimous  spirit, 
which  once  animated  the  Spanish  cavalier,  who 
was  considered  by  the  whole  world  as  a  mo-^ 
del  of  constancy,  tenderness  and  heroism. 


ST»  DOMINGO. 


141 


They  feel  for  the  distressed,  because  they 
are  poor;  and  are  hospitable  because  they 
know  want.  In  every  other  respect  this  is  a 
degenerate  race,  possessing  none  of  the  quali- 
ties of  the  Spaniards  of  old  except  jealousy, 
which  is  often  the  cause  of  tragical  events. 

A  young  gentleman  of  this  place  fell  in 
love  with  a  beautiful  girl  who  rejected  him  be-^ 
cause  she  was  secretly  attached  to  another. 
Her  lover  was  absent;  and  she  feared  to  avow 
her  passion  lest  his  rival  might  use  some  meatis 
to  destroy  him,  for  she  knew  he  was  cruel  and 
vindictive;  but  her  lover  returning,  she  de- 
clared her  attachment,  and  declined  receiving 
the  visits  of  him  who  had  pretended  to  her 
hand.  A  few  evenings  previous  to  that  fixed 
on  for  her  marriage,  she  was  returning  from 
church  with  her  mother,  when  at  the  door  of 
her  house  a  man,  wrapped  in  a  large  cloak, 
seized  her  arm,  and  plunging  a  dagger  in  her 
breast,  fled,  leaving  her  lifeless  on  the  ground. 
The  cries  of  her  affrighted  mother  brought 
people  to  her  assistance,  but  the  blow  was  di^ 
rected  by  a  secure  hand;  she  breathed  no 
more.    Every  body  was  convinced  that  the 


142 


HORRORS  OF 


perpetrator  of  this  abominable  act  was  her  re^ 
jected  lover;  but,  as  no  proofs  existed,  the 
law  could  not  interfere.  Shortly  after  he  was 
found  dead  in  the  street ;  and  probably  it  was 
the  hand  of  him  he  had  driven  to  despair,  that 
inflicted  the  punishment  due  to  his  crime. 

Nothing  is  more  common  than  such  events. 
They  excite  little  attention,  and  are  seldom 
enquired  into.  How  different  is  this  from  the 
peaceful  security  of  the  country  in  which  I 
first  drew  breath,  and  to  which  I  so  ardently, 
but  I  fear  hopelessly,  desire  to  return. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


143 


LETTER  XXL 


St,  Jago  de  Cuba, 

General  Rochambeau,  after  having  made 
a  shameful  capitulation  with  the  negroes,  has 
evacuated  the  Cape.  He  presented  his  su- 
perb horses  to  Dessalines,  and  then  embarked 
with  his  suite,  and  all  the  inhabitants  who 
chose  to  follow  him,  intending  to  fight  his  way 
through  the  British  ships.  They  were,  how- 
ever, soon  overpowered  and  taken.  The 
English  admiral  would  not  admit  the  general 
in  chief  into  his  presence.  He  has  been  sent 
to  Jamaica,  from  whence  he  will  be  transport- 
ed to  England. 

Many  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Cape  have 
arrived  here,  after  having  lost  every  thing  they 
possessed.  Numbers  have  remained.  After 
the  articles  of  capitulation  were  signed  three 
days  were  allowed  for  the  evacuation,  during 


144 


HORRORS  OF 


which  the  negroes  entered  the  town,  and  were 
so  civil  and  treated  the  inhabitants  with  so 
much  kindness  and  respect,  that  many  who 
had  embarked  their  effects,  allured  by  the 
prospect  of  making  a  fortune  rapidly,  paid 
great  sums  to  have  them  relanded,  supposing 
they  would  be  protected  as  they  had  been  in 
the  time  of  Toussaint.  But  in  less  than  a 
week  they  found  that  they  had  flattered  them- 
selves with  false  hopes.  A  proclamation  was 
issued  by  Dessalines,  in  which  every  white 
man  was  declared  an  enemy  of  the  indigenes-, 
as  they  call  themselves,  and  their  colour  alone 
deemed  sufficient  to  make  them  hated  and  to 
devote  them  to  destruction.  The  author  of 
this  eloquent  production,  a  white  man,  be- 
came himself  the  first  sacrifice. 

The  destined  victims  were  assembled  in  a 
public  square,  where  they  were  slaughtered 
by  the  negroes  with  the  most  unexampled 
cruelty.  One  brave  man,  who  had  often  dis- 
tinguished himself  in  the  defence  of  the  Cape, 
and  who  had  been  weak  enough  to  stay  in  it, 
seized  with  desperate  fury  the  sword  of  one  of 
the  negroes,  and  kiUing  several,  at  length  fell. 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


U5 


overpowered  by  numbers.  A  few  were  pre- 
served  from  this  day's  massacre  by  their  slaves. 
Some  were  concealed  by  the  American  mer* 
chants,  though  it  was  very  dangerous  to  ven-= 
ture  on  such  benevolent  actions.  One  vessel 
was  searched,  and  several  inhabitants  being 
found  on  board,  they  were  taken  and  hanged* 
The  mate  of  the  vessel,  though  an  American, 
shared  their  fate.  The  captain  saved  himself 
by  declaring  that  he  was  ignorant  of  their  be- 
ing on  board.  Major  B  whom  I  have  so 

often  mentioned,  had  also  the  folly  to  stay. 
One  of  his  slaves  concealed  him  on  the  day  of 
the  massacre,  and,  shut  up  in  a  hogshead,  he 
was  put  on  board  an  American  vessel.  Aftei- 
many  perilous  adventures  he  has  arrived  here, 
and  relates  scenes  which  cannot  be  thought  of 
without  horror. 

The  women  have  not  yet  been  killed ;  hnt 
they  are  exposed  to  every  kind  of  insult,  are 
driven  from  their  houses,  imprisoned,  sent  to 
work  on  the  public  roads ;  in  fine,  nothing  can 
be  imagined  more  dreadful  than  their  situa» 
tion. 

Two  amiable  girls,  whom  I  knew,  hung 

o 


146 


HORRORS  Oi- 


to  the  neck  of  their  father  when  the  negroes 
seized  him.  They  wept  and  entreated  these 
monsters  to  spare  him ;  but  he  was  torn  rudely 
from  their  arms.  The  youngest,  attempting  to 
follow  him.j  received  a  blow  on  the  head  with  a 
musquet  which  laid  her  lifeless  on  the  ground. 
The  eldest,  frantic  with  terror,  clung  to  her 
father,  when  a  ruthless  negro  pierced  her  with 
his  bayonet,  and  she  fell  dead  at  his  feet.  The 
hapless  father  gave  thanks  to  God  that  his  un- 
fortunate children  had  perished  before  him, 
and  had  not  been  exposed  to  lingering  suffer^ 
ings  and  a  more  dreadful  fate. 

Some  ladies  have  found  protectors  in  the 
American  merchants,  who  conceal  them  in 
their  stores.  Some  have  been  saved  by  the 
British  officers ;  but  the  greatest  number  have 
been  driven  into  the  streets,  and  many  are 
forced  to  carry  on  their  heads  baskets  of  can- 
non balls  from  the  arsenal  to  the  fosset,  a  dis- 
tance of  at  least  three  miles. 

I  enquired  after  a  most  accomplished  and 
exemplary  woman,  who  with  three  beautiful 
daughters  remained  at  the  Cape  after  the  eva- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


147 


cuation,  and  I  have  wept  at  the  story  of  their 
sufferings  till  I  am  unable  to  relate  them. 

What  could  have  induced  these  infatuated 
people  to  confide  in  the  promises  of  the  ne- 
groes ?  Yet  to  what  will  not  people  submit  to 
avoid  the  horrors  of  poverty,  or  allured  by  the 
hope  of  making  a  rapid  fortune. 

During  the  reign  of  Toussaint  the  w^hite 
inhabitants  had  been  generally  respected,  and 
many  of  them,  engaging  in  commerce,  had 
accumulated  money  which  they  sent  to  the 
United  States,  where  they  are  now  living  at 
their  ease.  Even  at  the  arrival  of  the  French 
fleet,  the  lives  of  the  people,  except  in  a  few 
solitary  instances,  had  been  spared.  These 
considerations  had  without  doubt  great  weight, 
but  alas !  how  soon  were  their  hopes  blasted, 
and  how  dearly  have  they  paid  for  their  credu- 
lity. Yet  even  these  monsters,  thirsting  after 
blood,  and  unsated  with  carnage,  preserved 
from  among  the  devoted  victims  those  whose 
talents  could  be  useful  to  themselves.  A 
printer  and  several  artists  have  been  suffered 
to  live,  but  are  closely  guarded,  and  wai'ned 
that  their  lives  will  be  the  forfeit  of  the  first 


148 


HORRORS  OF 


attempt  to  escape.  With  the  sword  suspended 
over  their  heads  they  still  cherish  perhaps  a 
secret  hope  of  eluding  the  vigilance  of  their 
savage  masters. 


ST.  DOMINGO^ 


149 


LETTER  XXIL 


St,  Jago  de  Cuha-^ 

Madame  G  ,  a  native  of  the  Gonaives^ 

having  lost  her  husband  at  the  beginning  of 
the  revolution,  left  St.  Domingo,  and  sought 
a  retreat  from  the  horrors  that  ravaged  that 
devoted  island  in  the  peaceful  obscurity  of 
Barracoa.  Three  infant  daughters  cheered 
her  solitude ;  and  she  found  in  culti^'ating  their 
minds  a  never  failins:  source  of  delisrht.  Some 
faithful  slaves  who  had  followed  her,  supplied 
by  their  industry  her  wants.  The  beauty  of 
her  person,  the  elegance  of  her  manners,,  and 
the  propriety  of  her  conduct,  rendered- her  the 
admiration  of  all  who  beheld  her,  whUsJ..  hejf 
benevolence,  which  shared  with  the  poor  tlie 
scanty  pittance  she  possessed,  made  her  the 
idol  of  those  whose  wants  she  relieved.  Thus 
she  lived,  contented,  if  not  happy,  till  the  ar- 


150  HORRORS  OF 


rival  of  the  French  army  at  St.  Domingo  re= 
called  its  inhabitants  to  their  deserted  homes, 
Madame  G  ,  lured  by  the  hope  of  re- 
instating her  children  in  their  paternal  inheri- 
tance, left  Barracoa,  followed  by  the  blessings 
and  regret  of  all  to  whom  she  was  known. 
On  arriving  at  the  Cape  she  found  a  heap  of 
ashes,  and  shuddered  with  horror  at  the  dreary 
aspect  of  her  native  country.  But  she  viewed 
her  children,  recollected  that  on  her  exertions 
they  depended,  and  determined  to  sacrifice 
every  thought  of  comfort  to  their  advance- 
ment. Some  houses  she  owned  in  the  Cape, 
upon  being  rebuilt,  promised  to  yield  her  a 
handsome  revenue ;  and  she  passed  in  anxious 
expectation  the  time  during  which  the  army 
kept  possession  of  the  Cape.  At  length  the 
noment  of  the  evacuation  arrived,  and  the 
ivretched  Creoles  were  again  reduced  to  the 
dreadful  alternative  of  perishing  with  want  in 
tbreign  Countries,  or  of  becomi.ic  victims  to 
the  rage  of  the  exasperated  negroes  in  their 

own.    Whilst  Madame  G  hesitated,  she 

received  a  letter  from  one  of  the  black  chiefs, 
who  had  been  a  slave  to  her  mother.   He  ad- 


ST.  DOMINGO- 


151 


vised  her  not  to  think  of  leaving  the  country; 
assured  her  that  it  was  the  intention  of  Dessa- 
lines  to  protect  all  the  white  inhabitants  who 
put  confidence  in  him,  and  that  herself  and  her 
children  would  be  particularly  respected.  The 
dread  of  poverty  in  a  strange  country  with 
three  girls,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  only  fif- 
teen, induced  her  to  stay.  Many  others,  with 
less  reason  to  expect  protection,  followed  her 
example. 

When  the  time  allowed  for  the  evacuation 
had  expired,  the  negroes  entered  as  masters. 
During  the  first  days  reigned  a  deceitful  calm 
which  was  followed  by  a  dreadful  storm. 

The  proclamation  of  Dessalines,  mention- 
ed in  my  last  letter  was  published.  Armed 
negroes  entered  the  houses  and  drove  the  in- 
habitants into  the  streets.  The  men  were  led 
to  prison,  the  women  were  loaded  wiihchains; 

The  unfortunate  madame  G  y  chainerd  ti> 

her  eldest  daughter,  and  the  two  .youngest 
chained  together,  thus  toiled,  exposed  to  tile 
sun,  from  earliest  dawn  to  setting  day,  follow- 
ed by  negroes  who,  on  the  least  appearance  of 
faintness,  drove  them  forward  with  wliips.  A 


152 


HORRORS  OF 


fortnight  later  the  general  massacre  took  places 
but  the  four  hopeless  beings  of  whom  I  parti- 
cularly  write,  were  not  led  to  the  field  of 
slaughter.  They  were  kept  closely  guarded, 
without  knowing  for  what  fate  they  were  re- 
served, expecting  every  moment  to  hear  their 
final  sentence.  They  were  sitting  one  day  in 
mournful  silence,  when  the  door  of  their  pri- 
son opened,  and  the  chief,  whose  letter  had  in- 
duced them  to  stay,  appeared.    He  saluted 

madame  G-         with  great  familiarity,  told 

her  it  was  to  his  orders  she  owed  her  life,  and 
said  he  would  continue  his  friendship  and  pro- 
tection if  she  would  give  him  her  eldest  daugh- 
ter in  marriage.  The  wretched  mother  caught 
the  terrified  Adelaide,  who  sunk  fainting  into 
her  arms.  The  menacing  looks  of  the  negro 
became  more  horrible.  He  advanced  to  seize 
the  trembling  girl.  Touch  her  not,  cried  the 
frantic  mother;  death  will  be  preferable  to 
such  protection.  Turning  coldly  from  her  he 
said,  You  shall  have  your  choice.  A  few  mi- 
nutes after  a  guard  seized  the  mother  and  the 
two  youngest  daughters  and  carried  them  out, 
leaving  the  eldest  insensible  on  the  floor. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


153 


They  were  borne  to  a  gallows  which  had  been 
erected  before  their  prison,  and  immediately 
hanged.  Adelaide  was  then  carried  to  the 
house  of  the  treacherous  chief,  w^ho  informed 
her  of  the  fate  of  her  mother,  and  asked  her  if 
she  would  consent  to  become  his  wife?  ah! 
no,  she  replied,  let  me  follow  my  mother,  A 
fate  more  dreadful  awaited  her.  The  monster 
gave  her  to  his  guard,  who  hung  her  by  the 
throat  on  an  iron  hook  in  the  market  placCj 
where  the  lovely,  innocent,  unfortunate  victim 
slowly  expired. 


DOMING^. 


LETTER  XXIIL 


St.  Jago  cle  Cuba, 

I  iiiiished  my  last  letter  abruptl}-,  my  dear 
Iriend,  but  a  good  opportunity  offered  of  send- 
ing it,  and  the  story  of  madame  G   had 

so  affected  me  that  I  could  think  of  nothing 
else. 

St.  Louis  is  determined  to  buy  a  planta- 
tion here,  and  establish  himself  on  it  till  he 
can  return  to  St.  Domingo.  His  old  disease 
has  seized  him  with  fresh  violence,  and  he  in- 
tends to  carry  his  wife  beyond  the  reach  of 
men.  He  is  jealous  of  an  interesting  Spaniard 
who  has  lately  been  very  assiduous  towa^'ds 
my  sister;  and  who  is,  I  beUeve,  much  more 
dangerous  than  the  redoubted  general  Ro= 
chambeau.  His  person  is  perfectly  elegant, 
his  face  beautiful;  his  ku'ge  black  eyes  seem 
to  speak  every  emotion  of  his  soul,  but  I  be--. 


HORRORS  or 


lieve  they  express  only  what  he  pleases,  Clara 
listens  to  him,  and  looks  at  him  as  if  she  was 
fully  sensible  of  his  advantages,  and  frequently 
holds  long  conversations  with  him  in  his  own 
language,  which,  if  gestures  deceive  not,  are 
on  no  uninteresting  subject.  But  I  hope,  and 
would  venture  to  assert,  that  she  will  never^ 
to  escape  from  the  domestic  ills  she  suffers, 
put  her  happiness  in  the  power  of  a  Spaniard. 
She  is  violent  in  her  attachments,  and  preci- 
pitate  in  her  movements,  but  she  cannot,  will 
not,  be  capable  of  committing  such  an  unpar- 
donable act  of  folly.  All  idea  of  her  going  to 
the  continent  is  abandoned ;  and  when  I  only 
breathe  a  hint  of  leaving  her,  she  betrays  such 
agony  that  I  yield  and  promise  to  stay ;  yet  I 
render  her  little  service,  and  destroy  myself, 
being  wearied  of  this  place,  which  has  no 
charm  after  the  gloss  of  novelty  is  gone,  and 
that  has  been  long  since  worn  off. 

A  company  of  French  comedians  had  built 
a  theatre  here,  and  obtained  permission  from 
the  governor  to  perform.  They  played  with 
eclat,  and  always  to  crowded  houses.  The 
Spaniards  were  delighted.    The  decorations. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


157 


the  scenery,  above  all  the  representation  of  the 
sea,  appeared  to  them  the  effect  of  magic.  But 
the  chai-m  was  suddenly  dissolved  by  an  order 
from  the  bishop  to  close  the  theatre,  saying, 
that  it  tended  to  corrupt  the  morals  of  the  in- 
habitants. Nothing  can  be  more  ridiculous, 
for  the  inhabitants  of  this  island  have  long 
since  reached  the  last  degree  of  corruption ; 
devoted  to  every  species  of  vice,  guilty  of 
every  crime,  and  polluted  b}'  the  continued- 
practice  of  every  species  of  debauchery.  But 
it  is  supposed  the  order  was  issued  to  vex  the 
governor,  with  whom  the  bishop  is  at  variance, 
and  the  orders  of  the  latter  are  indisputable. 
It  is  impossible  for  him  not  to  know  that  even 
the  vices  of  the  French  lose  much  of  their  de- 
formity by  the  refinement  that  accompanies 
them,  whilst  those  of  his  countrymen  are 
gross,  disgusting,  and  monstrously  flagrant. 
Gaming  is  their  ruling  passion ;  from  morning 
till  night,  from  night  till  morning,  the  men  are 
at  the  gaming  table.  They  all  wear  daggers, 
and  a  night  very  seldom  passes  without  being 
marked  by  an  assassination,  of  which  no  no- 
tice is  taken.    The  women  have  recourse  to 


/ 

/ 

158  HORRORS  OF 

intrigue,  sipping  chocolate,  or  reciting  prayers 
on  their  rosaries.  The  custom  is  to  dine  at 
twelve,  then  to  sleep  till  three,  and  this  is  the 
hour  favourable  to  amorous  adventures.  Whilst 
the  mother,  the  husband  or  the  guardian  sleeps, 
the  lover  silently  approaches  the  window  of  his 
mistress,  and  in  smothered  accents  breathes 
his  passion.  It  is  not  at  all  uncommon  to  see 
priests  so  employed ;  nor  are  there  more  dan- 
gerous enemies  to  female  virtue,  or  domestic 
tfanquillity,  than  these  pretended  servants  of 
the  Lord. 

I  was  at  first  shocked  beyond  measure,  at 
their  licentiousness,  for  I  had  been  taught  to 
consider  priests  as  immaculate  beings  ;  but 
when  I  reflect  that  thev  are  men,  and  doomed 
to  an  unnatural  condition,  I  pardon  their  aber- 
rations, and  abhor  only  their  filth,  which  is 
abominable.  Consider  how  agreeable  a  monk 
must  be  in  this  hot  country,  clothed  in  wool- 
len, without  a  shirt,  without  stockings,  and  hir 
legs  so  dirty  that  their  colour  cannot  be  distin- 
guished, to  which  is  added  a  long  beard;  and 
yet  these  creatures  are  favourites  with  women 
of  all  ranks  and  all  descriptions. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


159 


There  are  many  religious  orders  here, 
among  which  the  Franciscan  friars  are  the 
richest,  and  they  are  also  the  most  irreoTilar  in 
their  conduct.  They  had  begun,  a  number  of 
years  since,  to  build  a  church,  which  they 
w^re  obliged  to  discontinue  for  want  of  funds. 
Shordy  after  our  arrival  here  the  wife  of  a 
very  rich  merchant  fell  dangerously  ill.  When 
her  life  was  despaired  of  by  the  physicians, 
she  made  a  yow  to  St.  Francis,  that  if  she  re- 
coy  ered,  she  would  finish  his  church.  The 
saint,  it  seems,  was  propitious,  for  she  vras  re- 
stored to  health,  and  her  husband  instantly 
performed  the  promise  of  his  wife,  which  has 
cost  him  a  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars. 
The  church  was  consecrated  last  week,  with 
great  pomp  and  due  solem.nity.  The  lady, 
vvho  is  certainly  yery  beautiful,  assisted  at  the 
ceremony,  coyered  with  diamonds,  and  dis- 
playing  in  her  dress  almost  regal  .splendour. 
She  kneeled  on  the  steps  of  the  great  altar,  and 
more  than  shared  the  adoration  offered  to  the 
saint  by  the  admiring  multitude. 

Half  the  money  expended  in  this  pious 
work  would  haye  raised  thousands  of  the  in- 


160 


HORRORS  OF 


habitants  of  this  place,  who  are  in  the  greatest 
want,  to  comparative  ease.  But  it  would  not 
if  thus  employed,  have  had  such  an  effect  on 
the  minds  of  the  people;* nor  would  the  lady 
have  had  any  hope  of  becoming  herself  a  saint, 
an  honour  to  which  she  aspires,  and  which  she 
may  perhaps  attain^ 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


161 


LETTER  XXIV, 


St.  Jago  de  Cuba. 

Clara  and  her  husband  are  separated  for 
ever !  St.  Louis  is  frantic,  and  I  am  distressed 
beyond  measure.  My  heart  is  torn  with  anxiety 
for  her  fate,  and  I  shall  know  no  tranquillity 
till  I  hear  that  she  is  at  least  content.  Being 
acquainted  with  many  of  the  circumstances 
which  led  to  this  event,  I  pity  and  pardon  her. 
As  for  the  world,  its  sentence  is  already  pro= 
nounced,  and  she  will  be  condemned  by  those 
who  possess  not  a  thousandth  part  of  her  vir- 
tues. Her  husband  spares  neither  pains  nor 
expense  in  searching  after  her  retreat;  but, 
though  I  am  absolutely  ignorant  of  it,  I  be= 
lieve  she  is  beyond  his  reach.  His  house  is 
so  disagreeable  to  me,  since  she  left  it,  and 
the  wry  faces  made  by  all  our  friends,  seem- 
ing to  involve  me  in  the  scandal  occasioned  by 


162 


HORRORS  OF 


her  elopement,  excite  such  unpleasant  sensa- 
tions  that  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  re- 
main here.    Therefore  I  shall  leave  this  place 
immediately  with  a  lady  who  is  going  to  esta- 
blish herself  in  Jamaica.    I  have  always  de- 
sired to  see  that  island,  and  there  I  intend  to 
stay  till  I  have  some  positive  information  of 
Clara.    If  she  is  gone  to  the  continent  I  shall 
follow  her  immediately ;  if  she  is  in  Cuba  my 
friendship,  my  presence  will  console  her,  and 
they  shall  not  be  wanting.  One  of  my  friends, 
a  man  of  intelligence  and  discretion,  has  pro- 
mised to  find  her,  if  possible,  and  has  promised 
also  not  to  betray  her,  for  she  must  never  be 
restored  to  the  power  of  her  husband.  Far 
from  being  an  advocate  for  the  breach  of  vows 
so  sacred  as  those  which  bound  her  to  St. 
Louis,  I  have  always  expressed  with  unqualie 
fied  warmth,  my  disapprobation  of  the  levity 
of  many  women  who  had  abandoned  their  hus- 
bands.    But  there  are  circumstances  which 
palliate  error.    Many  of  those  which  led  to 
Clara's  elopement  plead  for  her;  but  if  she 
has  sought  protection  with  another,  if  she  will 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


163 


not  accompany  me,  my  heart  renounces  her, 
and  she  will  no  longer  have  a  sister. 

We  sail  in  three  days.  St.  Louis  makes 
no  objection  to  my  going,  and  I  leave  Cuba 
without  regret,  for  in  it  I  have  never  been  hap- 
py. Write  to  me  at  Kingston.  Never  was 
the  assurance  of  your  friendship  more  neces- 
sary to  my  heart  than  at  this  moment. 


165 


LETTER  XXV. 


Kingston^  Jamaica. 

We  arrived  at  Kingston  after  a  passage  of 
twenty-four  hours.  On  entering  the  harbour 
our  httle  vessel,  as  it  passed  near  the  admiral's 
ship,  appeared  like  an  ant  at  the  foot  of  a 
mountain.  Nothing  is  more  delightful  than 
the  bustle  and  continual  movement  that  strikes 
the  eye  on  entering  this  port.  Innumerable 
boats  are  continually  plying  round  the  vessels, 
offering  for  sale  all  the  fruits  of  the  season.  I 
like  the  to\vn.  There  is  an  air  of  neatness  in 
the  houses  which  I  have  no  w^herc  seen  since 
I  left  my  own  country;  but  the  streets  are  de- 
testable ;  none  of  them  are  paved,  and  at  every 
step  you  sink  ankle  deep  in  sand. 

I  have  found  numbers  of  my  French  friends 

here,  and  among  others  madame  M  ,  who 

was  more  than  gallant  at  the  Cape,  and  who  at 


166 


HORRORS  OF 


St.  Jago  appeared  not.  insensible  to  the  plea- 
sure of  being  loved.  She  left  her  sister  in  a 
fit  of  jealousy  and  went  to  Jamaica,  hoping  to 
captivate  some  Enghshman,  or  at  least  to  rival 
him  in  his  attachment  to  roast  beef  and  Ma- 
deira. But  it  seems  she  has  been  disappointed, 
no  lover  having  yet  offered  his  homage  to  her 
robust  attractions.  She  accuses  them  of  want- 
ing taste,  and  hates  the  place  and  all  who  in- 
habit it. 

I  have  also  met  here  my  little  friend  Co- 
ralie,  whose  adventures  since  I  parted  with  her 
at  the  Cape,  have  been  distressing  and  ro» 
mantic. 

Her  mother  and  herself  had  been  persua- 
ded to  remain  at  the  Cape,  after  the  evacua- 
tion, by  a  brother  on  whom  they  entirely  de- 
pended, and  who,  seduced  by  the  hope  of 
making  a  fortune,  staid  and  shared  the  melan- 
choly fate  of  the  white  inhabitants  of  that 
place.  Coralie  and  her  sister  were  concealed 
by  an  American  merchant  in  his  store,  among 
sacks  of  coffee  and  boxes  of  sugar.  Their 
mother  had  been  led,  with  the  rest  of  the  wo^ 
men,  to  the  field  of  slaughter. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


167 


The  bene^-olent  nian  who  concealed  these 
unfortunate  girls  at  the  risk  of  his  life,  after 
some  weeks  had  elapsed,  and  the  vigilance  of 
the  negroes  a  little  relaxed,  entreated  the  cap- 
tain of  an  Enghsh  frigate  to  receive  them  on 
board  his  vessel,  to  which  he  readily  agreed. 
Disguised  in  sailors'  clothes,  and  caiTving  bas- 
kets of  provisions  on  their  heads,  they  follow- 
ed the  captain  to  the  sea  side.  As  they  ap- 
proached the  guard  placed  on  the  wharf  to  ex- 
amine all  that  embarked,  they  trembled,  and 
involuntarily  drew  back.  But  their  brave  pro= 
tector  told  them  that  it  was  too  late  to  recede 
and  that  he  would  defend  them  with  liis  life. 
As  the  English  were  on  the  best  terms  with 
the  negroes,  the  supposed  boys  were  suffered 
to  pass.  On  entering  the  ship  the  captain  con^ 
gratulated  them  on  their  escape,  and  Coralie, 
overpowered  by  a  ^'ariety  of  sensations,  faint- 
ed in  the  arms  of  her  generous  protector. 

A  few  days  after,  they  sailed  for  Jamaica. 
On  entering  Port  Royal,  the  frigate  was  dri- 
ven against  a  small  vessel,  and  so  damaged  it, 
that  it  appeared  to  be  sinking.  The  boat  was 
instantly  hoisted  out,  and  the  captain  of  the 


168 


HORRORS  OF 


frigate  went  himself  to  the  assistance  of  the 
sufferers.  The  passengers  and  crew  jumped 
into  the  boat,  and  were  making  off,  when  the 
screams  of  a  female  were  heard  from  below, 
and  it  was  recollected  that  there  was  a  sick 
lady  in  the  cabin.  The  English  captain  de- 
scended, brought  her  up  in  his  arms,  and  put 
her  in  the  boat.  Then,  saying  that  the  vessel 
was  not  so  much  injured  as  they  imagined, 
ordered  some  of  his  people  to  assist  him  in 
saving  many  things  that  lay  at  hand.  Four 
sailors  jumped  on  board,  and  followed  their 
commander  to  the  cabin,  where  they  had 
scarcely  descended,  when  the  vessel  suddenly 
filled  and  sunk.  They  were  irrecoverably 
lost. 

Coralie,  standing  on  the  deck  of  the  fri- 
gate, beheld  this  catastrophe,  saw  perish  the 
man  to  whom  she  owed  her  life,  and  whose 
subsequent  kindness  had  won  her  heart. 

The  lady  found  in  the  sinking  vessel  was 
her  mother,  who  had  escaped  almost  miracu- 
lously from  the  Cape,  fully  persuaded  that  her 
daughters  existed  no  longer.  The  joy  of  their 
meeting  was  damped  by  the  melancholy  fate 


sr.  DOMINGG, 


169 


of  their  deliverer,  which  has  been  universally 
lamented. 

The  scenes  of  barbarity,  which  these  girls 
have  w^itnessed  at  the  Cape,  are  almost  incre- 
dible. The  horror,  however,  which  I  felt  on 
hearing  an  account  of  them,  has  been  relieved 
by  the  relation  of  some  more  honourable  to 
human  nature.  In  the  first  days  of  the  mas- 
sacre, when  the  negroes  ran  through  the  town 
killing  all  the  white  men  they  encountered,  a 
Frenchman  was  dragged  from  the  place  of  his 
conceahnent  by  a  ruthless  mulatto,  who,  draxv- 
ing  his  sabre,  bade  him  prepare  to  die.  The 
trembling  victim  raised  a  supplicating  look, 
and  the  murderer,  letting  fall  his  uplifted  arm, 
asked  if  he  had  any  money.  He  replied,  that 
he  had  none  ;  but  that  if  he  would  conduct 
him  to  the  house  of  an  American  merchant, 
he  might  probably  procure  any  sum  he  might 
require.  The  mulatto  consented,  and  when 
they  entered  the  house,  the  Frenchman  with 
all  the  energy  of  one  pleading  for  his  life,  en- 
treated the  American  to  lend  him  a  consider- 
able sum.  The  gentleman  he  addressed  was 
too  well  acquainted  with  the  villainy  of  the 


170 


HORRORS  OF 


negroes  to  trust  to  their  word.  He  told  the 
mulatto,  that  he  would  give  the  two  thousand 
dollars  demanded,  but  not  till  the  Frenchman 
was  embarked  in  a  vessel  which  was  going  to 
sail  in  a  few  days  for  Philadelphia,  and  en- 
tirely out  of  danger.  The  mulatto  refused. 
The  unfortunate  Frenchman  wept,  and  the 
American  kept  firm.  While  they  were  dis- 
puting, a  girl  of  colour,  who  lived  with  the 
American,  entered,  and  having  learned  the 
story,  employed  all  her  eloquence  to  make  the 
mulatto  relent.  She  sunk  at  his  feet,  and 
pressed  his  hands  which  were  reeking  with 
blood.  Dear  brother,  she  said,  spare  for  my 
sake  this  unfortunate  man.  He  never  injured 
you;  nor  will  you  derive  any  advantage  from 
his  death,  and  by  saving  him,  you  will  acquire 
the  sum  you  demand,  and  a  claim  to  his  gra- 
titude. She  was  beautiful;  she  wept,  and 
beauty  in  tears  has  seldom  been  resisted.  Yet 
this  unrelenting  savage  did  resist;  and  swore, 
with  bitter  oaths  to  pursue  all  white  men  with 
unremitting  fury.  The  girl,  however,  hung 
to  him,  repeated  her  solicitations,  and  offered 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


171 


him,  in  addition  to  the  sum  proposed,  all  her 
trinkets,  vdiich  were  of  considerable  value. 

The  mulatto,  enraged,  asked  if  the  French- 
man was  any  thing  to  her?  Nothing,  she  re- 
plied; I  never  saw  him  before;  but  to  save 
the  life  of  an  innocent  person  how  trifling 
%vould  appear  the  sacrifice  I  offer.  She  con- 
tinued her  entreaties  in  the  most  caressing 
tone,  which  for  some  time  had  no  effect,  when 
softening  all  at  once,  he  said,  I  will  not  de- 
prive you  of  your  trinkets,  nor  is  it  for  the 
sum  proposed  that  I  relent,  but  for  you  alone, 
for  to  you  I  feel  that  I  can  refuse  nothing.  He 
shall  be  concealed,  and  guarded  by  myself  till 
the  moment  of  embarking'  but,  when  he  is 
out  of  danger,  you  must  listen  to  me  in  your 
turn. 

She  heard  him.  with  horror;  but,  dissem- 
bling,  said  there  would  be  always  time  enough 
to  think  of  those  concerns.  She  was  then  too 
much  occupied  by  the  object  before  her. 

The  American,  who  stood  by  and  heard 
this  proposal,  made  to  one  to  whom  he  was 
extremely  attached,  feh  disposed  to  knock  the 
fellow  down,  but  the  piteous  aspect  of  the  al- 


172 


HORRORS  OF 


most  expiring  Frenchman  withheld  his  hand. 
He  gave  the  mulatto  a  note  for  the  money  he 
had  demanded,  on  the  conditions  before  men- 
tioned, and  the  Frenchman  was  faithfully  con- 
cealed till  the  vessel  was  ready  to  sail,  and  then 
embarked. 

When  he  was  gone,  the  mulatto  called  on 
the  girl,  and  offering  her  the'  note,  told  her 
her  that  he  had  accepted  it  as  a  matter  of  form, 
but  that  he  now  gave  it  to  her ;  and  reminded 
her  of  the  promise  she  had  made  to  listen  to 
his  wishes.  Her  lover  entering  at  that  mo- 
ment told  him  that  the  vessel  was  then  out  of 
the  harbour,  and  that  his  money  was  ready. 
He  took  it,  and  thus  being  in  the  power  of  the 
American  gentleman,  who  had  great  weight 
with  Dessalines,  he  probably  thought  it  best 
to  relinquish  his  projects  on  the  charming  Zu- 
line,  for  she  heard  of  him  no  more. 

The  same  girl  was  the  means  of  saving 
many  others,  and  the  accounts  I  have  heard 
of  her  kindness  and  generosity  oblige  me  to 
think  of  her  with  unqualified  admiration,- 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


173 


LETTER  XXVL 


Kingston^  Jamaica. 

I  pass  my  time  agreeably  enough  here, 
though  I  am  obhged  to  stay  in  a  boarding 
house  till  madame  L— — -  can  be  fixed  in  her 
own.  A  few  days  ago  a  Spanish  sloop  of  war 
was  captured  by  a  British  frigate,  and  brought 
into  Jamaica.  The  officers  were  suffered  to 
land,  and  came  to  lodge  in  the  house  where  I 
stay.  When  called  to  dinner  I  was  surprized 
at  finding  myself  among  a  group  of  strangers. 
As  the  mistress  of  the  house  never  dines  at 

table,  and  madame  L  was  abroad,  I  would 

have  retreated,  but  curiosity  prompted  me  to 
remain. 

The  Spanish  captain  is  an  elderly  man  of 
most  respectable  appearance.  All  the  rest  are 
young,  full  of  spirits,  and  two  of  them  remark- 
ably beautiful.    Taking  it  for  granted  that  I 

^2 


174 


HORRORS  OF 


was  French,  and  not  imagining  I  could  under  ^ 
stand  their  language,  as  soon  as  they  were 
seated  at  table  they  indulged  very  freely  in 
their  remarks  on  myself.  One  said  I  was  not 
pretty;  another,  that  I  was  interesting;  ano- 
ther, that  I  resembled  somebody  he  had  seen 
before ;  and  one  elegant  young  man,  who  sat 
next  me,  having  brushed  his  arm  against  mine 
made  in  Spanish  an  apology,  which  I  appear- 
ed not  to  understand.  He  then  asked  me  if 
I  spoke  English?  I  shook  my  head  ;  and  he 
observed  to  his  companions,  that  he  had  never 
so  much  regretted  his  ignorance  of  the  French. 
They  laughed ;  and  he  continued  lamenting 
the  impossibility  of  making  himself  under- 
stood. After  dinner  I  withdrew,  and  having 
been  engaged  by  Coralie  to  pass  the  evening 
at  her  house,  I  forgot  the  strangers,  and 
thous:ht  of  them  no  more  till  the  next  morn- 
ing  at  breakfast,  where  they  were  all  assem- 
bled, and  where  madame  L  related  to  me 

an  adventure  she  had  met  with  the  day  before. 
She  spoke  English,  and  as  I  was  answering 
her  my  eyes  met  those  of  the  young  officer, 
and  his  look  covered  me  with  confusiono  Ah ! 


ST.  DOMINGG. 


175 


he  said,  you  speak  English,  and  were  cruel 
enough  to  refuse  holding  converse  with  a 
stranger  and  a  prisoner.  I  speak  so  little,  I 
replied.  No,  no,  he  cried,  your  accent  is  not 
foreign ;  I  could  almost  swear  that  it  is  your 
native  language.  He  looked  at  the  others 
with  an  ir  of  triumph;  and  the  one  who  had 
said  I  was  not  pretty,  observed,  that  he  was 
glad  I  did  not  speak  Spanish;  but  I  under- 
stand it  perfectly,  I  answered  in  the  same  lan=- 
guage. 

He  looked  petrified ;  and  the  old  captain 
was  delighted.  He  made  many  inquiries  after 
his  friends  at  Cuba,  with  all  of  whom  I  was 
acquainted.  The  young  officer  who  speaks 
English,  is  by  birth  an  Irishman.  He  eriter= 
ed  the  Spanish  service  at  the  age  of  fifteen; 
had  been  several  years  at  Lima ;  had  return- 
ed to  Europe,  and  was  on  his  way  to  Vera 
Cruz  when  they  were  taken  by  the  English, 
With  him  my  heart  claimed  kindred,  for  in 
every  Irishman  I  fancy  I  behold  a  brother  and 
a  friend.  His  manners  are  elegant  and  inte° 
resting  beyond  expression^  'There  is  an  ap^ 
'  pearance  of  sadness  in  his  face,  which  height 


176 


HORRORS  OF 


ens  the  interest  his  fine  form  creates ;  and  if  I 
had  an  unoccupied  heart,  and  he  a  heart  to  of- 
fer, I  beheve  we  should  soon  forget  that  he  is 
a  prisoner  and  I  a  stranger! 

I  have  learned  from  him,  that  on  his  arri- 
val at  Lima,  he  was  lodged  in  the  house  of  a 
gentleman  who  had  a  beautiful  daughter.  She 
was  a  widow,  though  very  young.  The  se- 
clusion in  which  the  ladies  of  this  county  live 
rendred  such  a  companion  as  Don  Carlos 
doubly  dangerous,  and  the  beauty  and  sweet- 
ness of  Donna  Angelina,  made  an  indelible 
impression  on  his  heart.  Their  mutual  passion 
was  soon  acknowledged  ;  but  obstacles,  which 
appeared  insurmountable,  seemed  to  deprive 
them  even  of  hope. 

Angelina  had  inherited  the  immense  for- 
tune left  by  her  husband,  on  condition  of  re- 
maining a  widow.  Her  father  was  very  rich, 
but  avarice  was  his  ruling  passion.  He  had 
sacrificed  his  only  child  at  the  age  of  thirteen 
to  an  old  man,  merely  because  he  was  weal- 
thy, and  there  was  no  reason  to  expect  that  he 
would  suffer  her  to  abandon  the  fortune  she 
had  so  dearly  acquired,  and  marry  a  man  who 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


177 


had  no  inheritance  but  his  sword.  Though 
these  considerations  cast  a  cloud  over  their 
mutual  prospects,  they  still  cherished  their 
mutual  affection,  and  hoped  that  some  fortu- 
nate event  would  at  length  render  them  happy. 
The  father  of  Angelina  never  suspected  the 
situation  of  his  daughter's  heart,  and  her  in- 
tercourse with  Don  Carlos  was  without  res- 
traint. Delightful  moments  of  visionary  hap- 
piness how  quickly  ye  passed;  delivering  in 
your  flight  two  victims  to  the  gripe  of  despair ! 

A  new  viceroy  arrived  from  Spain  and 
Angelina  was  obliged  to  appear  at  a  ball  given 
to  celebrate  his  entry  into  Lima. 

She  danced  with  Don  Carlos,  and  her 
beauty,  eclipsing  all  other  beauty,  attracted 
universal  notice,  but  particularly  that  of  the 
viceroy,  vdio  went  the  next  day  to  offer  at  her 
feet  the  homage  of  his  adoration.  She  re- 
ceived him  coldly,  but  the  father  was  trans- 
ported with  joy,  and  when,  a  few  days  after, 
the  viceroy  demanded  her  hand,  without  hesi=. 
tation  favoured  his  suit.  Angelina  declined, 
and  acquainted  him  with  the  conditions  on 
which  she  inherited  her  husband's  wealth,  and 


178 


HORRORS  OF 


her  resolution  to  remain  a  widow.  He  told 
her  that  his  own  fortune  was  more  than  suffi- 
cient to  replace  that  he  wished  her  to  sacrifice, 
but  her  evident  aversion  raised  a  suspicion  of 
other  reasons  than  those  she  avowed,  and  his 
jealous  watchfulness  soon  discovered  her  at- 
tachment to  Don  Carlos.  He  informed  her 
father  of  his  discovery,  who,  furious  at  seeing 
his  hopes  of  aggrandizing  his  family  thwarted 
by  a  boy,  forbad  all  intercourse  between  them. 

The  means  employed  by  the  viceroy  to  se- 
parate them  were  still  more  effectual.  A  ves- 
sel  was  on  the  point  of  sailing  for  Spain,  and 
Don  Carlos  received  orders  to  embark  instant- 
ly to  bear  dispatches  of  importance  to  the 
court.  Resistance  would  have  been  vain.  He 
sailed  without  being  permitted  to  see  the  ob- 
ject he  had  so  long  adored. 

When  he  arrived  in  Spain,  he  learned  that 
his  rival  had  taken  every  precaution  to  pre- 
vent his  return  to  Lima.  Fortunately  he 
knew  the  heart  of  his  Angelina,  and  felt  as- 
sured that  the  hopes  of  that  detested  rival 
w^ould  never  be  crowned  with  success;  nor 
was  he  disappointed. 


ST.  DOMING0. 


179 


She  had  been  deprived  by  her  father  and 
die  viceroy  of  the  man  she  loved,  but  their 
power  extended  no  farther.  There  was  an 
asylum  to  which  she  could  retreat  from  their 
tyranny ;  that  asylum  was  a  convent.  She  en- 
tered one,  took  the  vows,  and  gave  her  im- 
mense fortune  to  the  society  of  which  she  be- 
came a  member. 

On  the  eve  of  entering  the  convent  she 
wrote  to  Don  Carlos,  informing  him  of  her  in- 
tention ;  of  the  impossibility  of  preserving  her- 
self for  him,  and  her  determination  never  to 
belong  to  another.  He  received  this  letter  the 
day  on  which  he  sailed  for  Vera  Cruz,  and  I 
believe,  does  not  regret  being  a  prisoner,  since 
he  has  found  in  the  place  of  his  captivity  a  kind 
being  who  listens  to  his  tale  of  sorrows  and 
seeks  to  pour  the  balm  of  consolation  into  his 
wounded  heart. 

He  amuses  me  continually  with  his  stories 
of  Lima;  describing  the  splendour  of  its  pa- 
laces, the  magnificence  of  its  churches,  filled 
with  golden  saints  and  silver  angels,  and  the 
beautiful  women  with  which  it  abounds.  He 
tells  me  there  can  be  nothing  more  fascinating 


180 


HORRORS  OF 


than  their  manners;  nor  more  singular  and 
picturesque  than  their  dress,  which  consists  of 
a  petticoat,  reaching  no  lower  than  the  knee, 
and  a  veil  that  covers  the  head  and  waist,  but 
through  which  a  pretty  face  is  often  shewn  in 
a  most  bewitching  manner.  At  the  same  time 
I  perceive  that  he  talks  on  every  subject  with 
reluctance,  except  on  that  nearest  his  heart; 
and  when  speaking  of  this,  he  seems  animat- 
ed by  all  the  energy  of  despair. 

I  have  heard  of  Clara  by  a  person  just  ar- 
rived from  Cuba,  and  have  written  to  her. 
My  heart  is  torn  with  anxiety  for  her  fate,  and 
will  remain  a  stranger  to  repose  till  I  receive 
more  satisfactory  intelhgence.  I  fear  she  was 
not  born  to  be  at  ease.  She  lives  continually 
in  an  ideal  world.  Her  enthusiastic  imagina- 
tion filled  with  forms  which  it  creates  at  plea- 
sure, cherishes  a  romantic  hope  of  visionary 
happiness  which  never  can  be  realized. 

Yet  with  all  my  fine  sentiments  of  correct- 
ness and  propriety,  and  the  duty  of  content  and 
resignation,  my  heart  refuses  to  condemn  her 
for  having  left  her  husband.  Never  was  there 
any  thing-  more  directly  opposite  than  the  soul 


ST.  DOMIXGO. 


181 


of  Clai*a,  and  that  of  the  man  to  whom  she  was 
united.  Their  tempers,  their  dispositions,  were 
absolutely  incompatible.  And  should  I  aban- 
don this  poor  girl  to  misfortune?  should  I 
leave  her  to  perish  among  strangers  ?  ah !  no, 
she  is  twined  round  my  heart,  and  I  love  her 
with  more  than  a  sister's  affection.  As  soon 
as  I  heai'  from  her  again,  you  shall  be  inform- 
ed of  my  intentions.  If  I  can  induce  her  to 
return  with  me  to  Philadelphia,  in  rejoining 
you  I  shall  think  myself  no  longer  unhappy. 


183 


LETTER  XXVn. 


To  Clara. 

Kingston^  Jatnaica, 

I  have  received  the  message,  sent  me  by 
Anselmo,  my  dear  Clara,  and  my  joy  at  hear- 
ing of  your  welfare,  made  me  forget  for  a  mo- 
ment, the  many  causes  you  have  given  me  of 
complaint.  Yet  what  more  have  I  learned 
than  that  you  exist  ?  of  all  that  concerns  you 
I  remain  ignorant.  Unkind  Clara  !  thus  you 
repay  my  friendship  !  thus  console  me  for  all 
the  solicitude  I  have  felt  for  you  !  To  have 
staid  with  St.  Louis,  after  you  left  him,  was 
not  possible,  for  he  did  not  conceal  his  suspi- 
cions of  my  having  been  in  your  secret,  nor 
could  I  find  in  Cuba  an  eligible  retreat ;  for 
all  my  friends  were  his,  and  all  disposed  to 
condemn  you.  I  accepted  therefore,  with  plea» 


184 


HORRORS  OF 


sure,  the  offer  made  by  Madame  L— ^  to 
take  me  with  her  to  Jamaica. 

Write  to  me,  my  dear  sister,  immediately. 
Tell  me  every  thing.  Does  not  your  heart 
require  the  affectionate  sympathy  it  has  been 
accustomed  to  receive  from  mine  ?  Can  you 
live  v^ithout  me  ?— without  me  who  have  fol- 
lowed you,  and  love  you  with  an  affection  so 
tender  ?  Dearest  Clara,  speak,  and  I  will  fly 
to  you  !  Means  shall  be  found  to  return  to 
Philadelphia,  where,  in  peaceful  obscurity  we 
may  live 5  free  from  the  cares  which  have  tor- 
mented you,  and  filled  myself  with  anxiety. 

Anselmo  will  be  careful  of  your  letter. 
Write  fully,  and  remember  that  you  are  wri- 
ting to  more  than  a  sister ;  to  a  friend,  who 
loves  you,  who  adores  your  virtues,  and  who* 
pardons,  while  she  weeps,  your  faults ! 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


185 


LETTER  XXVIII. 


To  Mary   . 

Bayam^  20  leagues  from  St,  Jago. 

I  know  your  heart,  my  dear  Mary  !  On 
the  affection  which  glows  for  me  in  that  heait, 
I  have  counted  for  the  pardon  of  my  errors, 
and  your  letter  convinces  me  that  I  have  not 
been  deceived.  You  know,  for  you  v/itnessed, 
my  domestic  infelicity  ; .  yet,  how  many  of  my 
pains  did  I  not  conceal,  to  spare  you  the  an- 
guish of  lamenting  sorrows  which  you  could 
not  alleviate  ! 

St.  Louis,  after  his  arrival  at  St.  Jago,  had 
connected  himself  with  a  company  of  game- 
sters, and  with  them  passed  all  his  time. — 
Often  returning  at  a  late  hour  from  the  gam- 
ing table,  he  has  treated  me  with  the  m.ost 
brutal  violence, — this  you  never  knew ;  nor 

R  2 


186 


HORRORS  OF 


many  things  which  passed  in  the  loneliness  of 
my  chamber,  where,  wholly  in  his  power,  I 
could  only  oppose  to  his  brutality  my  tears  and 
my  sighs.  To  his  intolerable  and  groundless 
jealousy  at  Cape  Francois  you  were  no  stran- 
ger :  it  embittered  my  days.  Since  our  arri- 
val in  this  island  it  increased.  In  every  man 
that  approached  me  he  saw  a  rival !  and  the 
more  amiable  the  object,  the  more  terrible 
were  his  apprehensions. 

He  became  acquainted,  at  some  of  the 

haunts  of  gaming,  with  Don  Alonzo  de  P  

and  brought  him  to  our  house,  but,  when  his 
visits  had  been  repeated  two  or  three  times, 
all  the  tortures  of  jealousy  were  awakened  in 
the  breast  of  St.  Louis. 

If  I  received  this  young  stranger  w^ith  plea- 
sure, it  was  because  I  found  him  interesting. 
If  I  avoided  him  it  was  an  acknowledgement 
of  his  power  1 

He  had  insisted  on  my  learning  the  Spanish 
langueige,  yet  if  I  spoke  in  that  language  it  was 
to  express  sentiments  I  sought  to  conceal  from 
him.  How  often,  in  the  bitterness  of  anguish, 
have  I  thought  that  the  direst  poverty  would 


ST,    DOMINGO,  187 


be  prefemble  to  the  ease  I  had  purchased  at 
the  expence  of  my  peace  !  but  alas  I  the  co- 
lour of  my  fate  was  fixed,' — I  was  united  to 
St.  Louis  by  bonds  which  I  had  been  taught 
to  consider  sacred,  and,  though  my  heart  shud- 
dered at  the  life-long  tie,  yet  I  always  recoiled 
with  hoiTor  from  Ae  idea  of  breaking  it, — 
That  tie  however  is  broken ;  those  bonds  are 
dissolved  and  there  is  no  fate  so  dreadful  to 
which  I  would  not  submit,  rather  than  have 
them  renewed. 

Believe  me  when  I  assure  you  that  my 
flight  was  not  premeditated.  It  is  true,  the  elo- 
quent eyes  of  Don  Alonzo  often  spoke  vo- 
lumes, but  I  never  appeared  to  understaM 
their  language,  nor  did  a  look  of  encourage- 
ment ever  escape  me.  For  some  days  previ- 
ous to  my  elopement  the  ill  humour  of  St. 
Louis  had  been  intolerable.  My  wearied  soul 
sunk  beneath  the  torments  I  endured  and  death 
would  have  been  preferable  to  such  a  state  of 
existence.  The  night  before  I  left  him  he  came 
home  in  a  transport  of  fuiy,  dragged  me  from 
my  bed,  said  it  was  his  intention  to  destroy  nie, 
and  swore  that  he  would  render  me  horrible 


188 


HORRORS  OF 


by  rubbing  aqua-fortis  in  my  face.  This  last 
menace  deprived  me  of  the  power  of  utterance; 
to  kill  me  would  have  been  a  trifling  evil,  but 
to  live  disfigured,  perhaps  blind,  was  an  in. 
sufferable  idea  and  roused  me  to  madness.  I 
passed  the  night  in  speechless  agony.  The 
only  thought  I  dwelt  on  was,  how  to  escape 
from  this  monster,  and,  at  break  of  day,  I  was 
still  sitting,  as  if  rendered  motionless  by  his 
threats.  From  this  stupor  I  was  roused  by 
his  caresses,  or  rather  by  his  brutal  approach- 
es, for  he  always  finds  my  person  provoking, 
and  often,  whilst  pouring  on  my  head  abuse 
which  would  seem  dictated  by  the  most  vio- 
lent hatred,  he  has  sought  in  my  arms  gratifi- 
cations which  should  be  solicited  with  affec- 
tion, and  granted  to  love  alone. 

You  must  recollect  my  unusual  sadness 
that  day;  for  well  do  I  remember  the  kind  ef- 
forts you  made  to  divert  me. 

I  awaited  the  approach  of  night  with 
gloomy  impatience,- determined  that  the  dawn 
of  day  should  not  find  me  beneath  that  hated 
roof.  When  I  left  you  in  the  evening  it  was 
with  difficulty  I  restrained  my  tears.  My  heai  t 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


189 


was  breaking  at  the  idea  of  being  separated 
from  you,  if  not  forever  at  least  for  a  consider- 
able time,  and  the  thought  of  the  pain  my  flight 
would  occasion  you  almost  determined  me  to 
rehnquish  it. 

But  St.  Louis  ^vas  in  my  chamber,  and  his 
presence  dispelled  every  idea,  except  that  of 
avoiding  it  forever.  x\fter  seeing  me  undress- 
ed, he  left  me,  as  usual,  to  pass  the  greatest 
part  of  the  night  abroad.  His  vigilant  guard, 
the  faithful  Madelaine,  lay  down  near  the 
door  of  my  apartment,  and  I,  taking  a  book, 
appeared  to  read.  At  eleven  o'clock  I  knew 
by  her  breathing  that  she  was  asleep. 

Taking  off  my  shoes,  I  passed  her  softly- 
opened  the  door  that  leads  into  the  garden, 
and  was  instantly  in  the  street. 

The  moments  were  precious,  for  I  had  the 
whole  town  to  pass,  in  order  to  gain  the  road 
to  Cobre,  where  I  intended  to  request  an  asy- 
lum of  Madame  V  . 

I  flew  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning,  nor 
stopped  to  breathe  till  I  had  passed  the  town. 
Beginning  to  ascend  the  mountain,  I  paused, 
and  leaning  against  a  tree,  reflected  for  a  mo- 


190 


HORRORS  OF 


ment  on  the  singularity  of  my  situation.—- 
Alone,  at  midnight,  on  the  road  to  an  obscure 
village,  whose  inhabitants  are  regarded  as  lit- 
tle better  than  a  horde  of  banditti ! — Flying 
from  a  husband,  whose  pursuit  I  dreaded  more 
than  death;  leaving  behind  me  a  sister,  for 
whom  my  heart  bled,  but  whom  I  could  ne- 
ver think  of  involving  in  my  precarious  fate  ! 

The  night  was  calm.  The  town,  which 
lies  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  was  buried 
in  profound  repose.  The  moon-beams  glit- 
tered on  the  waves  that  were  rolling  in  the 
bay,  and  shed  their  silvery  lustre  on  the  mo- 
ving branches  of  the  palm  trees.  The  silence 
was  broken  by  the  melodious  voice  of  a  bird, 
who  sings  only  at  this  hour,  and  whose  notes 
are  said  to  be  sweeter  than  those  of  the  Euro- 
pean nightingale.  As  I  ascended  the  moun- 
tain, the  air  became  purer.  Every  tree  in  this 
delightful  region  is  aromatic  ;  every  breeze 
wafts  prefumes  !  I  had  six  miles  to  walk,  and 
wished  to  reach  the  village  before  day,  yet  I 
could  not  avoid  frequently  stopping  to  enjoy 
the  delightful  calm  that  reigned  around  me  ! 

4  knew  that,  as  soon  as  I  was  missed,  the 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


191 


lown  would  be  diligently  searched  for  me,  but 
of  the  retreat  I  had  chosen  St.  Louis  could 
have  no  idea,  for  he  was  totally  unacquainted 

with  the  residence  of  Madame  V  .  To 

this  ladv  I  had  rendered  some  essential  servi- 
ces  at  the  Cape,  which  gave  me  a  claim  on 
her  friendship.  She  left  that  place  before  us, 
and  on  her  arrival  here,  bought  a  little  planta- 
tion in  Cobre,  where  she  lives  in  tlie  greatest 
retirement.  I  had  heard  of  her  by  accident, 
and  thought  it  the  surest  retreat  I  could  find. 
As  the  day  broke  I  perceived  the  straggling 
huts  which  compose  this  village,  and,  ap- 
proaching the  most  comfortable  one  of  the 
group,  found  to  my  great  satisfaction,  that  it 
was  inhabited  by  the  lady  I  sought.  She  had 
just  risen,  and  was  opening  the  door  as  I  drew 
near  it.  Her  surprise  at  seeing  me  was  so 
great,  that  she  doubted  for  a  moment  the  evi- 
dence of  her  senses ;  but,  seizing  my  hand, 
she  led  me  to  her  chamber,  where,  pressed  in 
her  arms,  I  felt  that  I  had  found  a  friend,  and 
the  tears  that  flowed  on  her  bosom  were  proofs 
of  my  gratefulness. 

I  began  to  explain  to  her  my  situation.  ^'I 


192 


HORRORS  OF 


know  it  all !"  she  cried,  you  have  escaped 
from  your  husband.  My  predictions  are  ve- 
rified, though  a  little  later  than  I  expected.- — 
But  where"  continued  she,  is  your  sister?" 
I  replied  that  my  flight  had  not  been  preme- 
ditated,  and  that  you  had  not  been  apprised  of 
it.  There  was  no  necessity  for  giving  her  a 
reason  for  having  left  my  husband.  She  had 
always  been  at  a  loss  to  find  one  for  my  stay- 
ing with  him  So  long.  The  next  considera- 
tion was  my  toilette.  I  was  bare-headed,  with- 
out  stockings:— my  shoes  were  torn  to  pieces 
by  the  ruggedness  of  the  road,  and  I  had  no 
other  covering  than  a  thin  muslin  morning 
gown.  The  kind  friend,  who  received  me, 
supplied  me  with  clothes,  and  checked  her  ea- 
gerness  to  learn  the  particulars  of  my  story  till 
I  had  taken  the  repose  I  so  much  required. 

Towards  evening  she  seated  herself  by  my 
bedside,  and  I  related  to  her  all  that  I  had  suf- 
fered since  she  left  me  at  the  Cape. 

But  when  I  spoke  of  the  threat  which  had 
determined  me  to  the  step  I  had  taken,  she 
made  an  exclamation  of  horror. 

I  told  her  tliat  my  intention  was  to  remain 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


193 


concealed  till  the  search  after  me  was  over, 
and  then  to  embark  for  the  continent. 

She  approved  the  project,  and  said,  that 
I  could  be  no  where  in  greater  security  than 
with  her;  for,  though  the  village  is  only  six 
miles  from  town,  it  is  as  much  secluded  as  if 
it  was  in  the  midst  of  a  desert,  except  at  the 
feast  of  the  holy  Virgin  which  is  celebrated 
once  a  year. 

The  festival  lasts  nine  days,  and  all  the  in- 
habitants of  St.  Jago  come  to  assist  at  its  cele- 
bration. Unfortunately  the  season  of  the  feast 
was  approashing,  during  which  it  would  have 
been  impossible  for  me  to  remain  concealed  in 
the  village.  However,  as  there  was  still  time 
to  consider,  she  bade  me  be  tranquil,  and  pro- 
mised to  find  me  a  retreat.  Two  davs  after 
she  went  to  town  and  at  her  return  I  learned 
that  nothing  was  talked  of  but  my  elopement. 

St.  Louis,  in  the  first  transports  of  his  rage, 
has  entered  a  complaint  against  Don  Alonzo 
and,  declaring  that  he  had  carried  me  off,  had 
him  imprisoned  ! 

It  v/as  feared  this  step  w^ould  be  attended 
Vvith  ill  consequences,  for  this  young  Spaniard, 

s 


194 


HORRORS  Cri- 


being  related  to  the  bishop  and  some  of  the 
most  distinguished  families,  it  was  supposed 
the  indignity  of  his  imprisonment  would  be 
resented  by  them  all ! 

Besides,  he  was  entirely  innocent  of  the 
charge  exhibited  against  him,  not  having  had 
the  slightest  idea  of  my  flight 

This  information  filled  me  with  alarm.  I 
felt  insecure  so  near  the  town  and  entreated 

madame   to  indicate  a  more  remote  and 

safe  asylum. 

She  told  me  that  she  had  a  friend,  twenty 
leagues  from  town,  to  whom  she  had  often 
promised  a  visit;  that  the  inconvenience  of  tra- 
veiling  in  this  barbarous  country,  had  hithert9 
prevented  her  going,  but  that  these  considera- 
tions vanished  before  the  idea  of  obliging  me, 
and  that  the  pleasure  of  making  the  journey 
in  my  company  would  be  a  sufficient  induce, 
ment. 

Two  days  were  past  in  procuring  horses 
and  making  preparations  for  our  departure. 
In  the  evening  we  walked  among  the  rocks, 
which  surround  the  village,  aud,  had  my  heart 


ST.    DOMINGO.  195 


been  at  ease,  I  should  ha^-e  wandered  with 
delight  in  these  romantic  regions. 

The  place  was  once  famous  for  its  valua- 
ble copper  mines,  from  which  it  takes  its  name, 
but  they  have  been  long  abandoned.  The  inha- 
bitants, almost  all  mulattos,  are  in  the  last  grade 
ef  poverty,  and  too  indolent  to  make  an  exer- 
tion to  procure  themselves  even  the  most  ne- 
cessary comforts.  Yet,  in  this  abode  of  wretch- 
edness, there  is  a  magnificent  temple,  dedica- 
ted to  the  blessed  Virgin.  Its  ornaments  and 
decorations  are  superb.  The  image  of  the 
Virgin,  preserved  in  the  temple,  is  said  to 
be  miraculous  and  performs  often  wonderful 
things.  The  faith  of  these  people  in  her  power 
is  implicit.  The  site  of  the  temple  is  pictures- 
que, and  the  scenery,  that  surrounds  it,  beauti- 
ful beyond  description,  standing  near  the  sum- 
mit of  a  mountain,  at  the  foot  of  which  lies 
the  village.  You  ascend  to  it  by  a  Vvdnding 
road,  and  see  its  white  turrets,  at  a  great  dis- 
tance, glittering  beneath  the  palm  trees  that 
gracefully  wave  over  it. 

After  passing  through  the  miserable  village 
and  following  the  winding  path  through  crag- 


196 


HORRORS  OF 


gy  cliffs,  over  barren  rocks  and  precipices 
^vhich  the  eye  dares  not  measure,  the  mind 
almost  invokmtarily  yields  to  the  belief  of  su- 
pernatural agency.  On  entering  the  church 
the  image  of  the  Virgin,  fancifully  adorned 
and  reposing  on  a  bed  of  roses,  appears  like 
the  presiding  genius  of  the  place.  The  waxen 
tapers,  continually  burning,  the  obscurity  that 
reigns  within,  occasioned  by  the  impenetrable 
branches  of  the  trees  which  overshadow  it,  and 
the  slow  solemn  tone  of  the  organ,  re-echoed 
by  the  surrounding  rocks,  fill  the  mind  with 
awe;  and  we  pardon  the  superstitious  faith  of 
the  ignorant  votaries  of  this  holy  lady,  cherish- 
ed as  it  is  by  every  circumstance  that  can  tend 
to  make  it  indelible  ! 

At  the  appointed  time,  before  the  dawn  of 
day,  our  little  cavalcade  set  out.  Madame 
V — —  and  myself  on  horseback,  preceded  by 
a  guide,  and  followed  by  a  boy,  leading  two 
mules  charged  with  provisions,  and  every 
thing  requisite  for  the  journey.  We  wore 
large  straw  bats,  to  defend  us  from  the  sun, 
with  thick  veils,  according  to  the  custom  of 
the  country.    Leaving  Cobre  behind  us^  v^e 


ST.  DOMINGO, 


197 


ascended  the  niountaiii.  The  road  pissed 
through  groves  of  majestic  trees,  intermingled 
with  the  orange  and  the  hme,  ^vhicli  being  in 
blossom,  the  senses  were  ahmost  overpowered 
by  the  odours  v/hich  filled  the  air.  V>'e  pro- 
ceeded slowly  and  silently. — I  thought  of  }"oii 
my  dear  sister  !— My  tears  flowed  at  the  idea 
of  your  pain,  and  I  trembled  to  think  that  I 
was  not  out  of  danger  of  being  discovered. 

About  eight  o'clock  our  guide  said  it  vvas 
time  to  breakfast,  and,  tying  our  horses,  he 
struck  a  light,  kindled  a  fire,  and  made  cho- 
colate.  The  repast  finished,  we  continued  on 
our  way  through  the  same  delightful  country; 
still  breathing  the  purest  air,  but  Vvfithout  dis- 
covering any  'v'estige  of  a  human  habitation. 

About  noon  we  savv'  a  iitrle  hut.  The 
guide,  alighting,  half  opened  the  door,  say- 
ing "  May  the  holy  virgin  bless  this  house  !" 
This  salutation  brought  out  a  tail  sallow  man, 
who  gravely  taking  his  seg?a  from  his  mouth, 
bowed  ceremoniously,  and  bid  us  enter.  Wq 
followed  him,  and  saw,  sitting  on  a.n  ox  hide, 
stretched  on  the  ground,  a  woman,  whose  rag- 
ged garments  scarcely  ansv/ered  the  fi.rst  pur- 

s  2 


198 


HORRORS  OF 


poses  of  decency.  She  was  suckling  a  squalid 
naked  child,  and  two  or  three  dirty  children 
were  lolling  about,  without  being  disturbed 
by  the  appearance  of  strangers.  A  hammock, 
suspended  from  the  roof,  was  the  only  article 
of  furniture  in  the  house.  Whilst  the  guide 
was  unloading  the  mules  to  prepare  our  din- 
ner, I  went  out  to  seek  a  seat  beneath  some 
trees ;  for  the  filth  of  the  house,  and  the  ap- 
pearance of  its  inhabitants  filled  me  with  dis- 
gust. 

To  my  infinite  astonishment,  the  plains 
which  extended  behind  the  house,  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  reach,  were  covered  Vv^ith  innu- 
merable herds  of  cattle,  and  on  enquiring  of 
the  guide  to  whom  they  belonged,  I  learned, 
with  no  less  surprise,  that  our  host  was  their 
master.  Incredible  as  it  may  appear,  this  mi- 
serable looking  being,  whose  abode  resembled 
the  den  of  poverty,  is  the  owner  of  countless 
multitudes  of  cattle,  and  yet  it  was  ^h  the 
greatest  difficulty  that  we  could  procure  a  lit- 
tle milk. 

A  small  piece  of  ground,  where  he  raised 
tobacco  enough  for  his  own  use,  was  the  only 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


199 


vestige  of  cultivation  we  could  discover.  No- 
thing like  vegetables  or  fruit  could  be  seen. 
When  they  kill  a  beef,  they  skin  it,  and,  cut^ 
ting  the  flesh  into  long  pieces  about  the  thick- 
ness of  a  finger,  they  hang  it  on  poles  to  dry 
in  the  sun  ;  and  on  this  they  live  till  it  is  gone, 
and  then  kill  another. 

Sometimes  they  collect  a  number  of  cattle 
and  drive  them  to  town,  in  order  to  procure 
some  of  the  most  absolute  necessaries  of  life. 
But  this  seldom  happens,  and  never  till  urged 
by  the  most  pressing  want.  As  for  bread,  it 
is  a  luxury  with  which  they  are  entirely  unac- 
quainted. After  dinner  the  guide,  and  the  host, 
and  all  the  family,  lay  down  on  the  ground  to 
sleep  the  siesta,  which,  you  know  no  consider- 
ation would  tempt  a  Spaniard  to  forget.  Ma- 
dame V  walked  with  me  under  the  trees, 

near  the  house,  and  remarked  the  striking  dif- 
ferenpe  between  this  country  and  St.  Domingo. 
There-^'^every  inch  of  ground  was  in  the  highest 
state  of  cultivation,  and  every  body  was  rich, 
here,  the  owners  of  vast  territories  are  in  the 
most  abject  poverty. 

This  she  ascribed  to  the  different  genius  of 


200     ^  HORRORS  OF 

the  people,  but  I  think  unjustly,  believing  that 
it  is  entirely  owing  to  their  vicious  government. 

After  our  guide  had  taken  his  nap  he  led 
up  the  horses,  and  bidding  adieu  to  our  hosts, 
we  continued  our  journey. 

We  passed  during  the  afternoon  several 
habitations  similar  to  the  one  where  we  dined. 
The  same  wretchedness;  the  same  poverty 
exhibited  itself,  surrounded  by  troops  of  cat- 
tle, who  bathed  in  plains  of  the  most  luxuriant 
pasturage. 

As  the  sun  declined  our  guide  began  to 
sing  a  litany  to  the  Virgin,  in  which  he  was 
joined  by  the  boy  who  followed  us.  The 
strain  was  sweet. 

And  round  a  holy  calm  diffusing 
In  melancholy  murmurs  died  away.'' 

At  the  close  of  day  we  stopped  at  a  hut, 
where  the  guide  told  us  we  must  pass  the 
nidit,  and  I  learned  that  we  had  come  ten 
leagues,  though  we  had  advanced  at  a  snail's 
p'ace.  The  hut  we  entered  was  inhabited  by 
an  old  man  who,  retiring  with  the  guide  to  an 
adjoining  shed,  left  us  the  house  to  ourselves. 


ST.  DOMINGOo 


201 


The  couch,  which  invited  us  to  repose,  was  a 

hide  laid  on  the  ground.     Madame  V  

had  brought  sheets,  and,  spreading  them  on 
the  hide,  I  soon  sunk  to  rest.  But  my  slum- 
bers were  interrupted  by  a  most  unaccount- 
able noise,  which  seemed  to  issue  from  all 
parts  of  the  room,  not  unlike  the  clashing  of 
swords  ;  and,  as  I  listened  to  discover  what 
it  was,  a  shriek  from  Madame  V—   in- 
creased my  terror.  In  sounds  scarcely  arti- 
culate, she  said  a  large  cold  animal  hcfd  crept 
into  her  bosom.,  and  in  getting  it  out,  it  had 
seized  her  hand. 

Frightened  to  death  I  opened  the  door  and 
called  the  guide,  who  discovered  by  his  laugh- 
ing that  he  had  foreseen  our  misfortune,  and 
guarded  against  it  by  suspending  his  hammock 
from  the  branches  of  a  tree.  When  I  asked 
for  a  light  to  search  for  what  had  disturbed  us, 
he  said  it  was  nothing  but  land  crabs,  which, 
at  this  jseason,  descend  in  countless  multitudes 
from  the  mountain,  in  order  to  lay  their  eggs 
on  the  sea  shore. 

The  ground  was  covered  with  them,  and 
paths  were  worn  by  them  down  the  sides  of 


202 


HORRORS  OF 


the  mountain.  They  strike  their  claws  to- 
gether as  they  move  with  a  strange  noise,  and 
no  obstacle  turns  them  from  their  course. 
Had  they  not  found  a  passage  through  the 
house  they  would  have  gone  over  it;  and  one 
finding  madame  V— — -  in  his  way,  had  crept 
into  her  bosom.    The  master  of  the  house 

gave  his  hammock  to  madame  V  .  I 

mounted  in  that  of  the  guide;  but  the  curio- 
sity excited  by  our  visitors,  rendered  it  im- 
possible for  us  to  sleep.  I  asked  the  guide  if 
it  was  common  to  see  them  in  such  numbers. 
He  said  that  it  was;  and  told  me  that  the  En- 
glish  having  some  years  ago  made  a  descent 
on  the  island,  had  seized  a  Spaniard  whom 
they  found  in  a  hut,  and  threatened  to  kill  him 
if  he  Vv^oold  not  shew  them  the  way  to  St. 
Jago,  which  they  had  always  wished  to  pos- 
sess, but  which  they  could  not  approach  by 
sea.  The  terrified  Spaniard  promised  to  com- 
ply. In  the  night,  as  they  were  encamped  on 
the  mountain,  waiting  for  daylight  in  order  to 
proceed,  they  heard  a  noise  stealing  through 
the  thickets,  like  that  of  an  approaching  host. 
They  asked  their  prisoner  what  it  meant?  he 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


205 


replied,  that  it  could  be  nothing  but  a  body  of 
Spaniards  who,  apprized  of  their  descent,  were 
prepai'ing  to  attack  them.  The  noise  increas- 
ing on  all  sides,  the  English,  fearful  of  being 
surrounded,  embai'ked,  and  in  their  haste  suf- 
fered the  prisoner  to  escape,  who  by  his  address 
probably  prevented  them  from  becoming  mas- 
ters of  the  island,  for  the  pretended  host  was 
nothing  more  than  an  army  of  these  crabs. 

The  man,  I  understand,  received  no  re- 
ward ;  but  the  anniversary  of  this  event  is  still 
celebrated  ;  and  if  the  crabs  have  not  been  ca- 
nonized, they  are  at  least  spoken  of  with  as 
much  reverence  as  the  sacred  geese,  to  which 
Rome  owed  its  preservation. 

During  the  night  their  noise  prevented  me 
effectually  from  sleeping.  They  appeared  like 
a  brown  stream  roiling  over  the  surface  of  the 
earth.  Towaixls  morning  they  gradually  dis- 
appeared, hiding  themselves  in  holes  during 
the  day. 

At  the  first  peep  of  daT^Ti  we  set  out,  and 
arrived  in  the  evening  at  Bay  am.  The  friend 

of  madame  V  received  us  with  great  cor> 

dialit}'.    She  lost  her  husband  soon  after  her 


204 


HORRORS  OF 


arrival  in  this  country.  She  is  very  handsome, 
and  has  an  air  of  sadness  which  renders  her 
highly  interesting.  She  wsls  informed  of  my 
story,  and  requested  me  to  think  myself  at 
home  in  her  house. 

It  was  determined  that  I  should  pass  for  a 
relation  of  her  husband;  and  soothed  by  her 
kindness  and  attentions  1  began  to  hope  that 
beneadi  her  roof  I  should  find  repose. 

Madame  V  ,  after  staying  with  us 

eight  days,  returned  to  Cobre,  promising  to 
inform  herself  of  you,  and  to  write  me  all  that 
was  passing.  She  wrote  me  immediately  that 
you  had  sailed  for  Jamaica:  that  Don  Alonzo 
was  out  of  prison  ;  that  he  had  commenced  a 
suit  against  St.  Louis  for  false  imprisonment, 
and  that  the  latter  was  actually  confined.  Don 
Alonzo  is  powerfully  supported  by  the  bishop 
and  all  his  family,  who  have  long  been  at  va- 
riance with  the  governor,  and  gladly  seek  this 
opportunity  of  revenging  themselves.  She 
finally  told  me,  my  dear  Mary,  that  she  had 
discovered  a  young  man  who  owned  a  small 
vessel  in  which  he  goes  constantly  to  Jamaica, 
and  that  she  held  entreated  him  to  find  you,  to 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


205 


tell  you  that  I  am  weU,  and  to  charge  himself 
with  your  letter,  not  doubting  but  you  would 
wite.  That  kind  letter  I  received  yesterday, 
and  it  has  given  me  the  first  agreeable  sensa- 
tion I  have  known  since  we  parted.  I  am 
convinced  of  your  affection  for  me,  but  do  not 
let  that  affection  hurry  you  into  iraprudencies 
which  may  perhaps  betray  me.  Do  not  think 
of  returning  to  St.  Jago ;  and,  may  I  add,  do 
not  think  of  leaving  Jamaica  till  I  can  join  you. 
We  will  return  to  the  continent  together,  and 
I  hope  together  we  shall  he  happy.  Two  or 
three  doubloons,  which  I  brought  with  me, 
prevent  my  being  dependant  on  the  lady  in 
whose  house  I  am,  for  any  thing  but  her  friend^ 
ship. 

I  was  struck  with  the  resemblance  of  a 
Spanish  lady  who  lives  near  us  to  Don  Alon- 
zo,  and  found,  on  enquiring,  that  she  is  his 
sister.  She  spoke  to  me  of  her  brother,  but  is 
as  ignorant  of  his  affairs  as  if  he  dwelt  in  the 
moon. 

This  place  is  the  abode  of  poverty  and  dull- 
ness, yet  the  people  are  so  hospitable  that  from 


206  HORRORS  OF 

the  little  they  possess  they  can  always  spare 
something  to  offer  to  a  stranger.  And  they 
are  content  with  their  lot — how  many  reasons 
have  I  not  to  be  so  with  mine  ! 


STo  DOMINGOo 


207 


LETTER  XXIX, 


To  Mary  — 

Bayam- 

I  thank  you  a  thousand  times,  my  dear 
sister,  for  your  affectionate  letter,  and  for  the 
parcel  that  accompanied  it.  I  knew  with  what 
pleasure  you  would  share  with  me  all  you  pos-- 
sess,  and  to  be  indebted  to  you  adds  to  my 
happiness. 

What  you  have  heard  of  St.  Louis  is  true. 
The  affair  of  Don  Alonzo  and  himself  was 
made  up  by  the  interposition  of  some  of  their 
mutual  friends  who  represented  him  as  half 
mad;  and  somebody  having  spread  a  report 
that  I  had  sailed  for  the  city  of  Santo  Domin= 
go,  he  embarked  immediately  for  that  place. 
What  he  could  think  I  should  seek  at  Santc^ 
Domingo,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  imagine. 


208 


Horrors  of 


*  My  retreat  has  been  discovered,  and  though 
by  one  who  would  not  betray  me,  yet  he  is  the 
last  person  on  earth,  except  St.  Louis,  to  whom 
I  could  have  wished  it  to  be  known. 

The  husband  of  Donna  Maria,  the  Spanish 
lady  whom  I  mentioned  to  you  before,  had 
gone  to  St.  Jago,  some  days  previous  to  my 
arrival  here.  Having,  as  is  the  universal  cus- 
tom, visited  a  gaming  house,  he  had  a  dispute 
with  a  gambler  of  bad  reputation,  and  on  leav- 
ing the  house  received  a  blow  with  a  poinard, 
which  proved  mortaL 

Such  occurrences  are  too  frequent  to  create 
much  public  interest,  and  it  is  considered  use- 
less  to  seek  the  assassin. 

When  the  senora  Maria  expected  the  re- 
turn of  her  husband,  she  heard  that  he  existed 
no  longer.  The  news  was  brought  by  her  bro- 
ther. Her  house  joins  the  one  I  live  in.  Hear- 
ing the  most  lamentable  cries  from  her  cham- 
ber I  ran  in.  Judge  of  my  surprise  at  seeing 
Don  Alonzo.  His,  I  believe,  was  not  less,  for 
abandoning  his  sister,  he  approached  me;  but 
'  I  was  too  much  terrified  at  her  situation,  to 
attend  to  him.  When  informed  of  the  caiise. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


209 


I  felt  that  in  that  moment  she  could  not  be 
consoled,  and  I  saw  also  that  the  violence  of 
her  sorrow  would  soon  exhaust  itself. 

Don  Alonzo  sought  an  opportunity  of  speak- 
ing to  me,  which  I  avoided.  Learning  after- 
wards where  I  lived,  he  so  ingratiated  himself 
with  madame  St.  Clair,  that  he  received  an  in- 
vitation to  her  house,  and  in  that  house  he  nov/ 
passes  all  his  time.  He  has  been  the  innocent 
cause  of  much  of  my  suffering,  yet  I  cannot 
find  fault  with  his  conduct ;  and  madame  St. 
Clair,  devoting  much  of  her  time  to  his  vridow- 
ed  sister,  I  have  no  means  of  escaping  from 
him.  He  has  informed  me  of  m^any  of  the  fol- 
lies of  St,  Louis,  of  the  obstinacy  vrith  Vvhich 
he  affirmed  that  Don  Alonzo  had  aided  my 
flight,  and  of  the  means  he  had  employed  to 
discover  me.  And  why,  he  sometimes  asks, 
did  you  not  suffer  me  to  aid  you?  why  did  you 
not  repose  confidence  in  me? 

You  know  my  dear  Mary,  how  eloquent 
are  his  eyes!  you  know  the  insinuating  soft- 
ness of  his  voice  !  Sometimes,  when  listening 
to  him,  I  forget  for  a  moment  all  I  have  suf- 

T  2 


210  HORROllS  'OF 

fered,  and  almost  persuade  myself  that  a  man 
can  be  sincere. 

The  governor  of  Bayam  is  an  Irish  Spa- 
niard, at  least  he  is  of  an  Irish  family,  and  was 
born  in  Spain.  I  have  become  acquainted 
with  him  since  the  arrival  of  Don  Alonzo,  and 
felt,  the  instant  I  beheld  him,  as  if  I  was  in  the 
society  of  an  old  acquaintance.  His  Irish  vi=- 
vacity  is  a  little  tempered  by  Spanish  gravity. 
He  speaks  English  as  if  he  had  been  raised  in 
his  own  country,  and  his  mind  is  stored  with 
literary  treasures.  He  has  a  handsome  collec- 
tion of  books,  which  he  offered  me.  Judge  of 
my  delight  at  meeting  with  Shakspeare  in  the 
wilds  of  Cuba. 

What  could  have  induced  him  to  accept 
this  sorry  government  I  have  not  yet  learned, 
but  he  certainly  possesses  talents  which  merit 
a  more  important  employment,  and  his  elegant 
manners  would  add  lustre  to  the  most  distin- 
guished situation.  He  laughs  heartily  at  his 
ragged  subjects,  by  whom  however  he  is  re- 
garded as  a  father  and  a  friend.  He  says  with 
better  laws  they  would  be  the  best  fellows  in 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


211 


the  world;  but  situated  as  they  are,  their  indo- 
lence is  their  best  security. 

We  often  make  excursions  in  the  beatiful 
environs  of  this  place  and  dine  beneath  the 
shade  of  the  palm  tree,  or  the  tall  and  graceful 
cocoa,  which  offers  us  in  its  fruit  a  delicious 
dessert,  whilst  the  gaiety  of  the  governor  dif-  - 
fuses  around  us  an  mdescribable  charm. 

But  my  deal'  sister,  think  not  that  I  forget 
you  in  these  delightful  scenes.  On  the  con= 
trary  I  long  to  see  you,  and  am  hastening  the 
moment  of  my  depai'ture. 

Madame  St.  Clair,  seduced  by  the  descrip- 
tion I  have  made  of  our  peaceful  country,  and 
wearied  of  a  place  where  she  has  known  nothing 
but  misfortune,  where  the  talents  she  possesses 
are  absolutely  lost,  intends  going  with  me  to 
Philadelphia,  as  soon  as  she  can  arrange  her 
affairs,  and  has  consented  to  accompany  me 
to  Kingston,  from  whence  we  can  all  sail  to- 
gether. You  will  love  her,  I  am  sure,  for  her 
kindness  to  me;  but,  independently  of  that 
consideration,  her  beauty,  the  graceful  sweet- 
ness of -her  mannersj  and  her  divine  voicej 


212' 


HORRORS  OF 


render  it  impossible  to  behold  or  listen  to  her 
with  indilFerence. 

The  gwernor  says,  if  he  loses  his  two 
most  amiable  subjects,  his  little  empire  will 
not  be  worth  keeping.    Don  Aionzo 

"  Looks  and  sighs  unutterable  things," 

and  sometimes  hints,  in  broken  accents,  the 
passion  he  has  felt  for  me  since  the  first  mo- 
ment he  saw  me,  at  all  which  I  laugh.  For 
me,  henceforth  all  men  are  statues.  I  was  so 
ill-fated  as  to  meet  that  phenomenon  a  jealous 
Frenchman,  and  with  my  wounds  still  bleed- 
ing, would  I  put  my  happiness  in  the  power 
of  a  Spaniard?  Ah!  no,  let  me  avoid  the  dan- 
gerous intercourse,  let  me  fly  to  my  sister ! 
Why  are  you  so  far  removed  from  me  ?  why 
did  you  so  hastily  leave  the  island,  where  you 
knew  I  must  be,  and  in  a  situation  too  in 
which  your  counsel,  your  support  is  doubly 
necessary. 

It  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  leave  Bay- 
am  in  less  than  a  month.  We  shall  sail  for 
Kingston  with  Anselmo.  Much  precaution 
must  be  osedj  for  I  must  embark  from  St. 


ST.  DOMINGO. 


213 


Jago,  and  if  I  was  discovered,  should  certain- 
ly be  arrested  by  the  governor,  who  is  exas- 
perated against  me.  Write  to  me,  my  dear 
girl,  by  the  return  of  the  vessel;  and  believe 
me  that  I  wait  with  the  utmost  impatience  for 
the  moment  that  will  reunite  us. 


215 


LETTER  XXX, 


To  Clara. 

Kingstoji. 

Let  me  enti'eat  you,  my  dear  sister,  to 
leave  Bayam  as  soon  as  possible.  I  cannot 
describe  the  pain  with  which  I  heard  of  Don 
Alonzo  being  near  you.  You  pass  hours, 
days  with  him  ;  you  talk  of  his  eloquent  eyes, 
his  sweet  voice.  Ah !  fly,  dearest  creature, 
fly  from  the  danger  that  surrounds  you.  Lis- 
ten not  to  that  insinuating  Spaniard.  If  you  do 
you  are  irrecoverably  lost. 

Why  indeed  am  I  not  near  you  ?  yet  after 
your  flight,  to  stay  in  Cuba  was  impossible, 
and  my  leaving  it  was,  I  believe,  one  of  the 
principal  reasons  which  determined  St.  Louis 
to  leave  it  also :  so  far  it  was  fortunate.  My 
heart  always  acquitted  you  for  having  taken 


216 


HORRORS  OF 


the  resolution  to  abandon  your  home  ;  for 
though,  as  you  say,  I  knew  not  all,  I  knew 
enough  to  awaken  in  my  breast  every  sensa- 
tion of  pity.  Yet  it  is  not  sufficient  that  you 
are  acquitted  by  a  sister,  who  will  always  be 
thought  partial;  and  if  you  cannot  conciliate  ge- 
neral approbation,  at  least  endeavour  to  avoid 
meriting  general  censure.  Who  that  hears  of 
your  being  at  Bay  am,  in  the  house  of  the  sis- 
ter of  Don  Alonzo,  knowing  that  he  had  been 
publicly  accused  of  having  taken  you  off,  and 
learns,  that  as  soon  as  the  affair  was  hushed  up 
in  St.  Jago,  that  he  went  to  Bayam,  that  he 
passes  all  his  time  in  your  society,  that  at 
home  and  abroad  he  is  ever  at  your  side,  who 
can  hear  all  this,  and  not  believe  that  it  was 
preconcerted  ?  Ah !  Clara,  Clara,  I  believe 
that  it  was  not,  because  I  love  you,  and  can- 
not think  you  would  deceive  me.  But  why 
stay  a  month,  a  week,  a  day,  where  you  are  ? 
Why  not  come  to  me  when  Anselmo  returns  ? 
when  with  me,  my  friendship,  my  alfection, 
will  soothe  and  console  you.  I  will  remove 
from  your  lacerated  breast  the  thorns  which 
have  been  planted  there  by  the  hand  of  misfor- 


ST.  DOMINGO.  217 

tune.  You  shall  forget  your  sorrcwvs,  and  I 
will  aid  you  against  your  own  heart,  for  I  be- 
lieve at  present  that  is  your  most  dangerous 
eneray. 


XT 


Q19 


LETTER  XXXL 


To  Mary  — — - 

Bayam» 

You  frighten  me  to  death,  my  dear  sister, 
with  your  apprehensions.  You  paint  my  situa- 
tion in  terrifying  colours  ;  yet  could  I  forsee 
that  I  should  be  led  into  it,  when  alone  and 
friendless  I  fled  at  midnight  from  a  house 
where  I  suffered  continual  torture?  Did  I 
imagine  that  in  Bayam  I  should  become  ac- 
quainted with  Don  Alonzo's  sister,  and  that  I 
should  meet  him  in  her  house  ?  Sentence,  I 
know,  has  been  passed  against  me,  and  that 
sentence  will  be  confirmed  by  what  has  hap- 
pened subsequent  to  my  elopement.  The  tes- 
timony of  my  own  heart  will  be  of  little  avaiL 
But  will  you  also  join  against  me?  I  cannot 
believe  it.  Condemn  me  not,  at  least  suspend 


220 


HORRORS  OT 


all  opinion  till  we  meet,  which  will  be  in  a 
fortnight.  To  av®id  the  danger  of  passing 
through  St.  Jago,  we  go  by  land  to  a  place 
tailed  Portici,  from  whence  we  shall  embark. 
The  journey  will  be  delightful.  We  intenii 
making  it  on  horseback.  The  governor  and 
Don  Alonzo  will  accompany  us.  Start  not  at 
this,  for  it  cannot  be  otherwise;  nor  could  I, 
by  refusing  his  services,  discover  that  I  thought 
it  dangerous  to  accept  them. 

In  my  anxiety  to  see  you,  every  mottient 
seems  an  age,  yet  I  feel  something  like  re~ 
gret  at  leaving  this  country.  The  friendli- 
ness of  the  people  can  never  be  forgotten. 
Here,  as  in  Barracoaj  they  are  poor  but  con- 
tented. They  sip  their  chocolate,  smoke  a 
segarj  and  thrum  the  guitar  undisturbed  by 
care.  Often,  when  reviewing  the  events  of 
my  past  life,  1  wish  that  their  calm  destiny 
had  been  mine ;  but  alas  !  how  different  has 
been  my  fate. 

I  write  this  letter  to  prepare  you  for  my  ar- 
rival. When  Anselmo  goes  next,  I  go  with 
him  ;  and,  when  I  embrace  my  sister,  I  shall 
be  happy. 


ST.  DOMINGO^^. 


221 


LETTER  XXXII. 


'Kingston,  Jamaica, 

Clara,  my  dear  friend,  is  at  length  arrived » 
I  have  held  that  truant  girl  to  my  heait,  and 
have  forgotten  whilst  embracing  her  all  the  re- 
proaches I  intended  to  make,  and  which  I 
thought  she  deserved.  I  cannot  help  loving 
her,  though  I  approve  not  of  all  she  does;  but 
I  will  blame  her  fate  rather  than  herself,  for 
who  can  behold  her  and  not  believe  that  she  is 
all  goodness?  w^ho  can  witness  the  powers  of 
her  mind  and  withhold  their  admiration  ? 
Whatever  subject  may  engage  her  attention^ 
she  seizes  intuitively  on  what  is  true,  and  by 
a  sort  of  mental  magic,  arrives  instantaneous, 
ly  at  the  point  where,  even  very  good  heads, 
only  meet  her  after  a  tedious  process  of  rea- 
soning and  reflection.  Her  memor}^,  surer 
than  records,  perpetuates  every  occurrence. 

u  2 


222 


HORRORS  Of 


She  accumulates  knowledge  while  she  laughs 
and  plays :  she  steals  from  her  friends  the 
fruits  of  their  application,  and  thus  becoming 
possessed  of  their  intellectual  treasure,  with- 
out the  fatigue  of  study,  she  surprises  them 
with  ingenious  combinations  of  their  own  ma- 
terials, and  with  results  of  which  they  did  not 
dream.  Her  heart  keeps  a  faithful  account, 
not  only  of  every  word  but  of  every  look,  of 
every  movement  of  her  friends,  prompted  by 
kindness  and  affection,  and  never  is  her  socie- 
ty more  delightful  than  in  those  moments  of 
calm  and  sublime  meditation,  when  her  ge- 
nius surveys  the  past,  or  wanders  through  a 
fanciful  and  novel  arrangement  of  the  future  ^ 
Who  that  thus  knows  Clara,  and  is  sensible 
of  her  worth,  can  have  known  her  husband, 
mid  condemn  her? 

It  is  true,  Clara  is  said  to  be  a  coquette, 
but  have  not  ladies  of  superior  talents  and  at^ 
tractions,  at  all  times  and  in  all  countries  been 
subject  to  that  censure  ?  unless  indeed  theirs  was 
the  rare  fortune  of  becoming  early  in  life  attach- 
ed to  a  man  equal  or  superior  to  themselves ! 
Attachments  between  such  people  last  through 


3T.  DOMINGO. 


life,  and  are  always  new.  Love  continues  be^ 
cause  love  has  existed;  interests  create  inte- 
rests ;  parental  are  added  to  conjugal  affec- 
tions; with  the  multiplicity  of  domestic  ob- 
jects the  number  of  domestic  joys  increase. 
In  such  a  situation  the  heart  is  always  occu- 
pied, and  always  full.  For  those  who  live  in 
it  their  home  is  the  world ;  their  feelings,  their 
powers,  their  talents  are  employed.  They  go 
into  society  as  they  take  a  ramble ;  it  affords 
transient  amusement,  but  becomes  not  a  habit. 
Their  thoughts,  their  wishes  dwell  at  home, 
and  they  are  good  because  they  are  happy. 
But  if  on  the  contrary  a  woman  is  disappoint- 
ed in  the  first  object  of  her  affections,  or  if  se- 
parated from  him  she  loved,  fate  connects  her 
with  an  inferior  being,  to  what  can  it  lead  ? 
You  might  as  well  expect  to  confine  a  spright- 
ly boy,  in  all  the  vigour  of  health  to  sedate  in- 
action, as  to  prevent  talents  and  beauty,  thus 
circumstanced,  from  courting  admiration.  A 
feehng  heart  seeks  for  corresponding  emo- 
tions; and  when  a  woman,  like  Clara,  can  fas- 
cinate, intoxicate,  transport,  and  wiiiist  un- 
happy is  surrounded  by  seductive  objects,  she 


HORRORS  OF 


will  become  entangled,  and  be  borne  away  by 
the  rapidity  of  her  own  sensations,  happy  if 
she  can  stop  short  on  the  brink  of  destruction^ 

If  Clara's  husband  had  been  in  every  re- 
pect  worthy  of  her  she  would  have  been  one 
of  the  best  and  happiest  of  human  beings,  but 
her  good  qualities  were  lost  on  him;  and, 
though  he  might  have  made  a  very  good  hus= 
band  to  a  woman  of  ordinary  capacit}^,  to  Clara 
he  became  a  tyrant. 

Sensible  of  the  impossibility  of  her  leaving 
him,  he  took  it  for  granted  that  she  bestowed 
on  another  those  sentiments  he  could  not  hope 
to  awaken  himself.  Yet  Clara  never  deceived 
him.  There  is  in  her  character  a  proud  frank- 
ness which  renders  her  averse  to,  and  unfit  for 
intrigue.  When  at  the  Cape,  she  was  not 
dazzled  by  splendor,  though  it  courted  her  ac- 
ceptance ;  nor  could  the  ill-treatment  of  her 
husband  fofce  her  to  seek  a  refuge  from  it  in 
the  arms  of  a  lover  who  had  the  means  of  pro- 
tecting her.  At  St.  Jago  his  conduct  became 
more  insupportable,  and  when  at  length  she 
fled  from  his  house,  alone  and  friendless,  she 
was  unseduced  by  love,  but  impelled  by  a  re- 


DOMINGO, 


225 


pugiiance  for  her  husband  which  had  reached 
its  height,  and  could  no  longer  be  resisted.  % 

Delivered  from  the  weight  of  this  oppres- 
sive sentiment,  she  now  enjoys  a  delightful 
tranquillity,  which  even  the  thought  of  many 
approaching  struggles  with  difficulty  and  dis= 
Iress,  cannot  disturb. 

In  such  a  situation  I  am  more  than  ever 
necessary  to  my  sister;  and,  perhaps,  it  is  the 
consciousness  of  this,  that  has  given  birth  to 
many  of  the  sentiments  expressed  in  this  letter. 

We  have  learned  that  St.  Louis  sailed  from 
the  city  of  Santo  Domingo  to  France,  from 
which  I  hope  he  may  never  return^ 

Clara  and  myself  will  leave  this  for  Phila= 
delphia,  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  week. 
There  I  hope  we  shall  meet  you ;  and  if  I  can 
only  infuse  into  your  bosom  those  sentiments 
for  my  sister  which  glow  so  warmly  in  my 
own,  she  will  find  in  you  a  friend  and  a  pro= 
tector,  and  we  may  still  be  happy. 


THE  END. 


5^ 


9 


i 


CO 


